Eventually someone will confront you about some action you’ve taken or something you’ve said.  In your mind, this may or may not seem to be to fair.  Let me clarify something: your perception at this point is meaningless. Until you understand the perspective of the one confronting you, it will be impossible to move to a resolution. Right or wrong, their perspective is their reality. The natural response, when confronted, is to be defensive, to make excuses, and focus blame away from yourself. Resist this urge with all your might!!

Don’t give a list of reasons (excuses) for whatever you are being confronted about.  Don’t blame ANYONE else, even if there is just cause to do so. Don’t raise your voice, begin to cry, hit something or walk off.  Instead, take a deep breath, or two or three, ask questions for clarification and then say “Thank you for being willing to share this with me. I will definitely consider what you’ve said.”  Then do just that: consider, what was said with some personal humility and openness, and learn from the experience.   You aren’t perfect, no one is, and there is always room for improvement, but if you always respond defensively pretty soon no one will go to the trouble of giving you this necessary input. When that happens you are going to hit a glass ceiling in your career and possibly even move backward.