If your goal is to be a well respected, credible, trustworthy, and responsible person, it is time to shift away from negative behaviors. Identify any of the less effective behaviors that you demonstrate, and choose to apply more positive behaviors that move you forward. Catch yourself in the act of being arrogant, aggressive, critical, reactionary, or defensive, and follow this process:
Pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, “What is really happening here?”
Explore a little deeper—why are you behaving this way? What fear or need is at the source here?
Decide how you want this to turn out—what is the best action to take for your reputation, your career, and your life?
Use this three-step process to identify and shift other behaviors that are no longer effective. You will make better, well-informed choices for yourself.