I endured serious abuse from my father as a child. That sentence is difficult to write, but it perhaps explains why people sometimes ask how I rise above abuse today. The answer is not that it doesn’t hurt. It is that I refuse to let another person’s behaviour determine mine. Rising above abuse is not about accepting it; it is about choosing how you respond.
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Pause before responding.
Anger invites retaliation. Give yourself time to decide whether a response will improve anything.
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Separate criticism from cruelty.
Listen to legitimate challenge, however uncomfortable. Abuse deserves neither your attention nor your acceptance.
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Set clear boundaries.
Preserve evidence where necessary, then mute, block, report or walk away. Protecting yourself is not weakness.
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Don’t become what hurt you.
Bitterness allows someone else’s behaviour to continue shaping yours long after they have gone.~
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Your action.
Protect your peace without surrendering your voice.
The above leadership tip...
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