By Zig Ziglar
My mother often said, “There are three sides to every story – your side, their side, and the right side.” Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that in most cases she was right. How often, when we hear the first accounts of a story, does it appear that someone is guilty without doubt? Later we get the “other side of the story,” and completely change our minds. “Don’t rush to judgment” is good advice.
A typical example is something that took place at our own company recently. An employee reported an incident to me in which he was not directly involved but had heard about “through the grapevine.” The evidence seemed compelling that a serious error in judgment by a key staff member had occurred. However, after talking with those directly involved, those who had all the relevant information, the picture changed dramatically.
As it developed, there were three sides. Each was right, but critical information was incomplete. This led to the erroneous original conclusion that a serious error had been made. What was needed was that old Paul Harvey stand-by, “the rest of the story,” which validated the fact that there were three sides.
I encourage you, particularly if you’re in a management or decision-making position regarding other people, to carefully hear what the messenger is saying. Make no decisions, promises or judgments until you have heard the other side of the story. Take that approach and you’ll win more friends and influence more people, which means that I’ll have a better chance to SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
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