The Ostrich, the Owl, and the Tasmanian
Devil.
No, it's not one of
Aesop's fables or the opening to a cheesy bar joke.
It describes three common reactions to conflict.
The ostrich sticks its head in the ground and ignores the problem, hoping it will just go away.
The Tasmanian devil is all spit and vinegar, lashing out at the other person with its hackles raised.
The owl carefully considers the issue at hand and offers a wise, measured response.
Which one are you?
MANY people either refuse to stand up for themselves, or do it in a defensive way that puts the other person on guard.
Personally, I used to flip-flop between both extremes, before I learned a better way.
Because of my own personal baggage, I'd largely ostrich my way through life until I was pushed so hard the Tasmanian devil broke free and let loose.
But what if there's a middle ground? An
approach that creates a win-win for both you and the other person. The owl approach.
It takes a combination of confidence and humility (and a dose of personal healing) to stand up for yourself in a way that honors everyone involved.
Wanna learn more
Read 5 Steps to Confidently Stand Up for Yourself.
