Chapter 102
Pride vs. Pragmatism in Crisis
Going along the corridor, the assistant led Rostóv to the officers’ wards, consisting of three rooms, the doors of which stood open. There were beds in these rooms and the sick and wounded officers were lying or sitting on them. Some were walking about the rooms in hospital dressing gowns. The first person Rostóv met in the officers’ ward was a thin little man with one arm, who was walking about the first room in a nightcap and hospital dressing gown, with a pipe between his teeth. Rostóv looked at him, trying to remember where he had seen him before.…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Pride Triggers
Think of a recent situation where you dug in your heels because you were right about something. Map out what was really at stake: your actual goal versus what your pride demanded. Then identify three alternative approaches you could have taken that might have achieved your real goal more effectively.
Consider:
- •What was your actual objective versus what your ego wanted?
- •How did other people's reactions fuel your need to be right?
- •What would tactical retreat have looked like in this situation?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you chose being right over being effective. What did it cost you, and what would you do differently now?
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