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Over the years, I’ve encouraged you to use winning words and profit phrases. Yet, there are times when your most powerful language ally, is silence. Or at least, discretion.

However, there’s a faux pas, I continue to witness and hear everywhere. Okay, “faux pas” is too fancy. It’s just plain stupid, idiotic behavior!

It’s the “self-important” business-person, who has to seemingly impress strangers, with their power and influence... as we become unsuspecting bystanders to their loud, rude and animated phone conversations.

What’s wrong with these people? First, we ain’t impressed. And second, it’s bad business!

A couple of weeks ago, my flight was delayed in San Diego.

So I headed for United’s Red Carpet club. Because of bad weather in Chicago and the east, the club was packed. Thankfully, I was able to find an open seat.

And that’s when the fun began. Seated across from me (and within the proximity) of at least ten others, was Mr. Macho!

For some strange reason, he thought we’d be entertained by his portion of multiple phone calls. He was loud. Obnoxious. And relentless. Meaning, as soon as he finished one call, he started another.

The trend was evident. His job was to “beat-up” the “lucky” recipient of his communication. This individual was condescending, demeaning and belittling. I heard him say (in loud and hostile tones) things like:

“Why wasn’t I informed?” “How come this decision was made without me?” “Either George or I should have been told about this!” “Now, YOU need to create a new presentation. Are you capable of doing that? Do you really have a grasp or understanding of this problem?!” And, he referenced people by name. First and last.

Finally, this bullying barrage of bluster ended. But then, he hurriedly and decisively reached for his laptop. He began to pound away like Ringo Starr in a frenetic drum solo! And then, the phone rang. Uh, oh!

The first thing I heard him exclaim was, “You interrupted me, was just about to chastise him in an e-mail.” Great, this boob is not only an idiot with the spoken word, he’s now going to confirm it, with the written word!

Lessons:

— Conduct your business in private

— When necessary, change locations

— Don’t bully or threaten others (in general) especially not, when you’ve got an audience

— Be discreet, and avoid referencing others’ full names (you never know who’s listening, i.e., a friend, family member, competitor, customer, etc.)

— If you’re disturbed or angry and need to write it down, then write it down. It’ll be cathartic, but seriously consider NEVER sending it (I always remind clients who seek my counsel on something they’d like to send to an employee, supplier or customer, that if it’s in print, there’s no emotion, attitude, or inflection and... it lives forever, and... it can easily be copied and sent to others)

— If you discover a boorish offender, slap ‘em silly (just kidding)

— Impress others with your results, not your threatening grandstanding.

---

Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer who lives part-time on Marco Island. His clients call him a “business-growth specialist.” Send an e-mail to jeff@jeffblackman.com or go to www.jeffblackman.com to subscribe to his free e-letter.