When the boss is on a rampage is usually a good time to keep your mouth shut--he's probably so irrational that setting him straight will make him charge straight at you.
When you are hungry, cold, cranky and tired is a good time to shut up and keep your head down--your verbal judo may be at a low point, so there is no sense getting yourself thrown off the mat.
During a crisis is often times, but not always, a good time to keep quiet--unless you are damned sure you see the problem and have a track record of being right under pressure--then, speak up with conviction!
A great time to keep your mouth shut is when you have no earthly idea what in the flock the sheep are up to. Crying wolf about the Saint Bernard sent to rescue you is only going to make you look like an idiot.
The most important time to keep your mouth shut right after you've retrieved the baby from the bus. You'll have an almost overwhelming need to confess that you forgot the baby but ran three blocks and caught the bus just as an old Italian lady with a mole was bringing the bassinet up to the bus driver. My advice is, don't say a word! You know you did it. God knows it. The little old Italian lady knows it. That's enough, so keep your mouth shut! If you just "gots to say sometin," smile and say, "Great morning. Isn't it?" then pick up the baby and walk away fast.
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