Being Right Can Cost You

My husband and I put a pool in our newhouse a year ago. The contractor used a sub for the final finish. They did a very poor job and thefinish by all accounts is unsightly and uncomfortable. The contractor knows it. And he is someone who is truly addicted to being right... at all costs. The two of them (contractor and sub) are so addictedto their view being the only real one that they have been embroiled in a legal wrangling match for a year. They have huge legal bills, and just failed mediation and are headed to trial. They willlikely spend between 40-50 thousand dollars in legal fees (it is already over 36k so far!) to dispute a few hundred dollars in unpaid fees and a few thousand in repairs. Unreal for me. They want to pull us into the lawsuit. I said absolutely not.This is such a prime example of people being blinded by their righteousness. It is truly an addiction to the chemical reaction in your body ofgetting upset and not backing down. Don't get mewrong, I am all for standing for something to get resolved, but from being powerful. Being powerful is very distinct from getting your heels dug in about your position being right and being unable to hear or discuss things with another person to resolve differences.This is a common problem among people in general, but when it comes to business, this is a very costly issue. It is costing them thousands, plus they have destroyed their reputation with me, and I am sure other customers who are in themidst of their battle. And they have not, nor do I expect them to ever complete their contract by fixing the issue. (He even admitted to me that he should have just fixed it for $5000 last year but said He (the sub) did not deserve it!!!)When you get upset about something in your business (or in your life) and you notice you become unable to hear, discuss, and are unyielding in your position, consider you may be addicted to being right. Then consider--- what is the price you are willing to pay- in money, time, energy-to feed that addiction? If you can ask yourself this, and then be willing to give up your view is the ONLY right view, you can get into a negotiation and compromise. I am a fan of win- win and I think we all can do that, too.For more information or to book Janet to speak go tohttp://www.thezenithbusiness.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Janet_Zaretsky/2159897