Sometimes being kind is the best plan

This week I experienced an unexpected opening during a challenging interaction. I was presented with a contract that I didn’t feel safe signing. There were problematic clauses that protected the other party but left me open to risk. I noticed the defensiveness in my body and thoughts, which went to all kinds of worst-case scenarios.

I did my best to calmly explain my side of things and ask for changes by email. As much as I tried to sound neutral, some defensiveness slipped in. After hitting send, I didn’t feel right and worried that the contract would fall apart.

That evening I read the service cards/promises that were presented in last week’s webinar. Reading in particular the promise of bringing a gift to every person I encounter helped me look at my situation, the contract and the other party from a larger perspective.

When I woke up the next morning and still didn’t feel right about the tone in my email, I decided to give the other party the gift of good will. I sent a heartfelt P.S. to my earlier message, suggesting that we should speak directly to find a solution as the legal wording and email might be making it harder to align and move forward.

It took a few hours to get a reply, but I felt that no matter what happened I now had done my best reaching out. I received a positive reply that evening, we spoke the next day, and it appears that we are on the same page. I credit the service cards for helping me see things from a broader, less selfish and less anxious, perspective.