At some point or another, we all go back on something we’ve said. Does that makes us “bad” people? No. But it does make us hypocrites. A hypocrite, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.
I’ve always had a hard time with hypocrites. Perhaps it’s because I hold myself to a ridiculously unachievable standard. Whatever the case, I know I’m not the only one gets ticked off when people go back on their word and step all over a previous sentiment. Just glance around the office and I’m sure you’ll see plenty of offenders.
Take Joan, for example. She always got along with her cubemate Tammy. But last month they started to experience a lot of tension. Joan ended up distancing herself a bit and started having lunch with Margaret. One random day, Joan and Tammy met up accidentally in the office cafeteria and exchanged a few laughs. At the time, Margaret happened to be strolling by.
She was mad! After all of the smack Joan had talked about Tammy, how could she laugh with her and just “let it all slide?”
Now Margaret thinks Joan is a hypocrite and is distancing herself.
This minor example probably sounds familiar. Human nature has given us the innate desire to want and expect the truth. If someone doesn’t put an end to the cycle, we’ll all be distancing ourselves from one another! Rather then write others off as bad people, let’s see what we can do to deal with the office hypocrite.
Read more of my post at US News & World Report.
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