"Don't stay silent" - Shark Tank's Lori Greiner on dealing with judgemental people

Preksha
Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner (Image via ABC)
Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner (Image via ABC)

Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner recently shared a post on her Instagram discussing judgmental people and how an individual can solve this issue. She highlighted how there are people who would judge a person based on various factors such as their background and experience.

This prompts them to assume who we are and everything we are capable of. She says people don't treat anyone differently based on your personality, but they do so because of how they are programmed.

This insight reminds us that judgment is often about the person delivering it rather than one who is on the receiving end.

The behavior could originate from insecurities, biases, and preconceived notions. Some may judge others to elevate themselves while others might not even realize they are being "dismissive."

Regardless of "why" it happens, a person should focus on how this judgment does not define their worth. Explaining the same, the Shark Tank investor says,

"Have you ever felt judged because of your background, experience, or age? The reality is, that people don't treat you differently because of who you are, they treat you differently because of who they are. When it happens, don't stay silent. Speak up. Immediately. The sooner you'll address it, the clearer your boundaries will be."

Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner gives a solution for dealing with judgemental people

Lori Greiner, the Shark Tank investor, asks her followers to stand up against judgemental behavior and set their boundaries as soon as they get the chance.

The worst thing that can be done is to remain silent when someone is subjected to it. Lori says that addressing the issue as soon as it arises sets a clear boundary which prevents further mistreatment.

She advises that if someone speaks dismissively or disrespectfully, it is important to respond calmly yet assertively. According to the Shark Tank investor, this will shift the power dynamics of the interaction. Giving an example for the same, Lori says,

"Here's an example. If someone speaks to you in a way that feels dismissive, or disrespectful, say, 'I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk to me that way.' You don't need to be rude. But you do need to be clear. That moment could change how they treat you. I've been there too and trust me, it works."

The statement mentioned by Lori is neither aggressive nor rude but firmly establishes respect. She says that addressing the behavior in real-time, not only allows an individual to stand up for themselves but also influences how people will treat them in the future.

Boundaries are important and setting them as soon as one gets a chance is even more crucial, both in personal and professional relationships. By doing so, a clear message is sent out to the people around a person about what behavior they will or will not tolerate.

Lori says that when someone shows confidence in defending themselves, others are more likely to respect their boundaries.


Shark Tank season 16 episodes are released weekly on Fridays on ABC at 8 PM Eastern Time. They are later available to watch on Hulu.

Edited by Zainab Shaikh
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