How I Learned to Stop Being a Jerk

(Mostly)

"This conversation is making me feel defensive," David said. (Not his real name.)

David’s comment paused me for a moment.

I blurted out, "Good."

Then I realized what I was doing. I was justifying bad behavior—something I have done all my life—a behavior no one would want to be on the other end of, not even me. I would hate it.

Here's what it looks like.

Davi…