DV Tip of the Week

5 MIN READ

We work in a high pressure environment. If you've ever let that pressure get to you, then you know how it impacts your victims.

We are humans dealing with highly volatile human emotions

There's a difference between being passionate about your case and letting your emotions control your actions.

I've counseled, coached, and mentored prosecutors who have experienced the pain of letting their emotions override their actions.

When fear takes over

Every case presents challenges. We need to analyze cases and find the best solutions to weaknesses in our cases. Sometimes, that can spiral out of control. You find yourself focused on not losing your case instead of winning your case. This loss aversion results in the trial ending in a not guilty (what you focus on is what you get) or you plead out a case for less than its value.

What to do: Feeling fear and feeling excitement for trial are the same emotion wrapped in a different label. Focus on what you want and not on what you don't want.

Anger

I've gotten angry in management meetings, in staff meetings, in trial, in the courtroom with defense attorneys and judges. I've gotten angry with witnesses, even with victims. Letting that anger take control, never works out. Every time it has happened to me or to someone I worked with the better solution was to stop. Take a moment. Do not make a decision while you are angry.

What to do: Catch your breath before you send that email. Ask for a recess before you explode on the court. Just walk away from the defense attorney who has triggered your anger.

Stress

We love to complain about "stress." The truth is without stress, we would be pretty boring people. That stress can become overwhelming. Prosecutors who learn to manage their stress have long and successful careers. Prosecutors who don't learn to manage their stress fall prey to broken relationships, substance abuse, departmental discipline, and a host of health problems. There are positive ways to manage stress and negative ways to manage stress.

What to do: Audit the way you currently handle stress. Is it a healthy or unhealthy practice? Find different ways to manage the stress in your job so you can have a long carerr.

Want some help in this area? Reach out to me and let's work on some solutions.

Email me: gfineman@dvtrainandconsult.com with any questions.

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