No Asshole Rule: Post #4 - How to Fight Back

Teach people how to fight: In no jerk workplaces, companies teach their folks how to fight fairly. Called “constructive confrontation” at Intel, people are taught how to fight back rather than simply accepting abuse from loudmouth jerks. Sutton instructs that we should focus on gathering data, listening to others, and even when we disagree, committing to find agreement. Here’s some great advice from U. of Michigan professor Karl Weik: “Fight as if you’re right; listen as if you are wrong.” On the other hand, he quotes Intel’s doctrine: “The only thing worse than too much confrontation is no confrontation at all.” Destructive confrontation is emotional, personal and relationship focused. Constructive confrontation focuses on the issue, even the argument’s logic…but never the person or her/his character. Read the Top Ten Steps for enforcing the no “jerk” rule: pp. 87-89.