Responding to a Workplace Adversary

Buddhism teaches that we can and should stand up for ourselves, but that we should do so while taking care to cause the least possible trauma and trouble. For example, in any place of employment, there will always be someone who dislikes you, who refuses to help, who would prefer to see you fail than succeed. Rather than allow that person to turn you into a bitter cynic, or into someone who secretly harbors fantasies of revenge, the lesson is this: Try practicing generosity to your workplace adversary. You can offer your adversary the gift of making yourself as small a target as possible by: 
- not making matters worse;
- respectfully listening to any complaints or criticisms your colleague may have about you; 
- responding in a gentle, quiet tone;
- explaining yourself, your words and actions without being defensive or angry; and 
- maintaining ongoing integrity with your workplace adversary. 
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds