Day # 71 - Intimidation

I was reading David Falk's book, "The Bald Truth" yesterday and it reminded me of an experience I had about a year ago. David Falk was a sports super-agent, having represented greats such as Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing. In the book, he wrote about being deposed and all the effort the opposing counsel put into trying to intimidate him. Falk was not intimidated because he had the truth on his side.

About a year ago, I received a summons to appear for an interrogation -oops- a deposition! It was in reference to a client of the bank I worked at. One of my elderly customers left her money to a friend / caretaker upon her death. The family, which I never met and never really seemed to care for this client, suddenly came out of the woodwork to get there piece of the pie. The friend / caretaker never complained, never said a word. She had been a true friend to my client, driving her around, feeding her, taking her to doctor's appointments, etc. The "family" wanted the money.

So I sit in this room with the lawyer, who looks like Joe Pesci in Casino minus most of the hair. He asks if I'd like something to drink. I ask how long this process will take. He looks puzzled. I inform him that I am not thirsty, but if we're going to be here a while, I'd like some water because all the talking will doubtless make me thirsty. The assistant brings me water. The questioning begins.

"Mr. Jimenez, what's your educational background?"
"How is that relevant?"
"I want to know?"
"But how is it relevant?" (I'm having fun with this schmuck, the truth is on my side.)
"I need to get an idea of your background to establish your qualifications as a banker?"
"But my employer already qualified me as a banker when they hired me."
He shoots me a look, "Will you please answer the question?"
"I am a high school dropout. I got me G.E.D. at age 24 and took a few college courses, but I never graduated."
At this point, the lawyer is salivating, he's already counting his money. He is so badly underestimating me that I feel bad for him. He thinks he's the cat, but he's the mouse, and I am toying with him. Why? Because people like him tend to rely too heavily on their title. He thinks I'm going to fear him because he's a lawyer. I couldn't care less.

I played the game with him for a short while that day. Often asking him to clarify his questions. We met a second time for a longer session and he was still as arrogant and I continued to manhandle him. Why? Because all he could see was the fact that I didn't have a college degree. He saw me as inferior. What a fool. I think of great men throughout history who don't have degrees:

Jesus Christ
Ernest Hemingway
Harry Truman
Karl Rove
Michael Dell
Bill Gates
Adolfo Jimenez

And the list goes on. I am not proud of not having a degree, but I press on, knowing education comes from life, school is where you get training.

I did not allow the little lawyer to intimidate me. I must have done a good job because I never heard from him again. He wanted to intimidate me into making his case for him. It didn't happen. No way. I had the truth on my side, the courage of my convictions, and the confidence that comes from knowing I am good at what I do.

Never allow yourself to be intimidated. Once you show fear, you are dead where you stand. When you are intimidated, you can be manipulated (rhyme unintentional, I promise.) And you lose your personality, you lose your confidence, your concentration. When we are in fear, we are effectively paralyzed. As Gordon Liddy said, "Defeat the fear of death, and you welcome the death of fear." Defeat the fear of anything and you welcome the death of fear.

Today's Lesson:

- Have the courage of your convictions.
- Fear is to be controlled. It's natural, but it's not healthy. Tame that beast.
- "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt.

Today's Declarations:

- Day by day in every way I am getting better and better.
- Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I shall fear no evil,for You are with me. - Psalm 23
- I fear nothing because I have the truth on my side.

Be bold, be brave, be confident, and never be intimidated. Remember the second best way to deal with a bully is by punching him in the mouth. The best way is by outsmarting him.

Make it a great day, your best yet. Fear nothing. God bless you.

-Adolfo

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