“It also demonstrates emotional intelligence by addressing the underlying issues that may have prompted the insult, rather than escalating hostility,” he says. “Instead of thinking small and safe, take on challenging projects and big new roles,” writes Sarah Goff-Dupont on the Atlassian productivity blog. That doesn’t mean you can’t take some preparatory action, notes Nicholas Nassim Taleb, the Lebanese-American statistician and author of The Black Swan. Alfille recommends you simply turn to the customer and ask: “And what is your next project?” They will smile and hesitate, taken aback, Alfille says. We can make an appointment whenever you like!”MOTIVATION Reframe AwkwardnessFeel bad about how you spoke to that last customer or vendor?