Guest post by Jonathan Cardwell

Mick Fanning has been.  Last month while surfing a competition off the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Mick was attacked by a shark.  He bravely fought off the shark and escaped without any physical injuries.

You may never come face to face with an actual shark.  You may never even set foot in the water after watching Shark Week!  But you will encounter sharks in your world, sometimes on a daily basis.  We must learn how to deal with them to avoid injury.

You know those people who just drag you down?  They constantly tear you down or slow your momentum.  In some ways, they act just like the shark that came after Mick.

“…Then it started dragging me under, dragging me by my leash. I was like, I don’t know what to do,” said Mick.

Some people can and will drag you under.  They will grab whatever part of you they can and pull you down.  But unlike Mick, you may not be ready to fight back.

Dealing with people is much like swimming with sharks.  Some can be dangerous, others docile. Some ready to tear you down, others content to leave you alone.

Dr. Jay Strack taught me some invaluable lessons on dealing with this type of people.  I will share with you some of what he taught me as we learn how to identify the types of sharks and how to deal with them.

Spinner shark:

These sharks have a long nose and beady eyes.

They represent people who are always sticking their nose into other people’s business.  They literally “spin” the truth.  They are gossips and slanderers.

The best way to deal with these “truth spinners” is to never join them in gossiping.  As tempting as it may be to hear or maybe even contribute that juicy piece of news, these sharks will put their own spin on whatever you say to the next person who comes along.

Lemon shark:

This shark has two dorsal fins set far back on its body.  This represents their double-mindedness.  They are two-faced, hypocritical people.

This type of people is dangerous and can be quite offensive.  They often say one thing, yet do another.  While we all have the tendency to be hypocritical at times, these people are repeat offenders with no desire to change.  Lemon sharks are literally sour to be around, and they can sour a reputation quickly.

The best way to deal with these people is to be clear about your stance and your intentions.  Be prepared to give an answer about your direction and how you will approach situations involving lemon sharks.  Don’t allow their duplicity to bleed into your thought-process.

Mako shark:

These sharks have a bullet-shaped body and are one of the fastest sharks in the ocean.  They also have some of the sharpest teeth of any shark.

They represent someone whose words cut like a knife.  They cut straight to the point. They don’t beat around the bush.  But they are harsh in their approach, not concerned with the feelings of others.  They are quick to have their side heard or point proven and in turn frequently stir up strife.  A lot of times people don’t realize they are a Mako.

The best way to deal with a Mako – keep your temper in check.  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”  Mako’s spew harsh words.  Prepare yourself when you know you’ll be around a Mako and be ready to give a gentle answer to their harshness.  It may just disarm them.

I hope this helps you deal with sharks you may face this week.  If you think this might help someone you know, please share it with them.

About the author, Jonathan Cardwell

I’m a 22-year old graduate of Ole Miss.  I studied business management and currently work for Chick-fil-A.  Leadership, personal development, and developing other leaders are my passions.  I also love fishing, four-wheeling, and bonfires.  I can’t wait to share with you what I have learned so far and begin the journey alongside you as we seek to lead and live better. You can connect with me at https://leadliketimothy.wordpress.com/