Avoid Burning Bridges Due to Overreaction

Business consulting conflict resolution

Avoid Burning Bridges Due to Overreaction

Hi, team! It’s your friends, Brian and Mary, with the “I” in Team series where you can find, be, and build your positive influence. One topic we cover in our new book, Positive Influence: Be the “I” in Team, is pitfalls, and burning bridges due to overreaction is a huge pitfall. Though not in every case, one of the common byproducts of overreaction is, in fact, burned bridges. Burning a bridge means moving on with your life and severing all ties with someone so they no longer affect you. It means that, regardless of what that person may do, you will never again extend an option for them to benefit from you in any way—and vice versa.

Overreaction can cause us to burn a bridge with someone, or it may cause someone to burn a bridge with us. Either way, burning bridges is a huge pitfall and can affect our influence for the rest of our lives. Many of us have been told to never burn a bridge, and it’s a good piece of wisdom. Burning bridges isn’t the best way to go about dealing with issues. Although, some exceptions do apply, which we will cover here.

Why do we burn bridges?

There are bridges in life that will need to be burned, sometimes just for your emotional, psychological, or physical health, and other times for the health of your organization. When you burn a bridge, you are shedding a burden for good. That is the final act that severs all ties and eliminates the burden. If you find that you are consistently returning to thoughts of the bridge that was burned, then you did not burn the bridge effectively, or that bridge may not have needed to be burned.

The reasons for burning bridges are as numerous and complex as humans. They are unique to what that person values, wants, and perceives. Burning a bridge is a very personal decision, one made through the lens of our experiences, making the decision subjective to each of us. While there is no simple formula, the path to burning a bridge should be made thoughtfully and not out of pure emotion. It is ill-advised to make impactful decisions like cutting ties when the wounds are fresh. Give yourself some time to think and weigh the value of your decision.

We also recognize that while burning bridges can be a positive decision, it’s not always a positive experience. The pitfall is that burnt bridges occur when we set up situations that enable them to be burnt. Acknowledging burnt bridges allows us to identify if there is something within us that makes burning bridges possible. While we may be the ones burning the bridge, we too should reflect about how we contributed to the need for the burning.

Moving On

There are also risks involved with burning bridges. While burning a bridge can eliminate a burden or other issue that is negatively affecting you or your organization, there may be emotional or social repercussions, or “scars”, that can affect how you behave in or think of future relationships. When we burn a bridge, we create a need to fill the void created. Whether that is a friendship or a business partner, we will look to fill the hole in our lives after we have removed someone from it.

The effect of having to fill the gap can trigger several other pitfalls. We may make assumptions about how others will treat us or what capabilities are necessary to support our growth. We may overreact to new situations based solely on our past experiences. We may take newcomers for granted instead of working to develop a relationship with them. We may make these choices because the fear of having to burn another bridge is a possibility that we may find difficult to face.

Remaining Composed

Burning bridges may feel good as we burn them, but it is a pitfall for a reason. In the end, it is not an advantage (not always, at least). Knowing how to refrain from burning a bridge and moving on in a different way is one of the most advantageous paths we can take to move forward. The best way to avoid burning a bridge is to keep your composure. When we act unprofessionally (which is usually part of an overreaction), make assumptions about intentions, or jump to conclusions, we are setting ourselves up for failure. We must remain composed with open communication to work through the small issues, so they don’t build up into larger issues.

We may need to take the high road to avoid burning a bridge. It may not be fun, but sometimes it’s better to just let things go in order to save something for down the road. We need to take accountability for our part in the issues we are facing and try to understand the perspective of the other person. It is possible that we are to blame for the want to burn this bridge; it is a difficult pill to swallow and may be difficult to even consider, but in the heat of the moment, maintaining composure is incredibly important. Emotions don’t allow us to see a picture fully or clearly.

Be ready to be accountable for your actions and adopt a humbler approach toward rectifying the issue. This final attempt to stop a bridge from being burned may require sacrifice on your end. You must ask yourself if it is worth it. You must decide if whatever you have to sacrifice is worth saving the friendship or partnership. Sometimes the ends do justify the means. The positive aspect of this is that you can control the means.

Bottom Line

In the end, you cannot control what other people do. You must do what is best for yourself and those around you. Your influence should be your top priority because you always want to have a positive influence. Sometimes that means changing your approach toward solving a problem if someone is trying to burn a bridge with you. Sometimes it means being the one to burn a bridge with other people. Only you can decide what is right for you, but do so without overreaction in a composed and humble headspace.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.