The RESPONSE Agency has a business relationship with a fellow who is perfectly professional, except: whenever he calls on us, he takes a moment to disparage his former-partner-now-competitor. For all I know, his observations are accurate. Yet in bringing them up, he only makes himself look small. Which is a shame, since I personally happen to know that he is anything but.
Not that I am a shining example of restraint. Having been betrayed and screwed by the best of them — people no one would imagine capable of dishonesty — I too have been guilty of saying too much too often. In the act, I have come across as unprofessional, and the whining proved counterproductive.
There are times to speak up, and times to rein in the old tongue. I don’t know about you, but I’m still working on knowing which time is which.
—Steve Cuno