Every piece of drama you join comes with a tax: time, energy and reputation. Check the price first.

Joining someone else’s conflict is never free. It takes hours you will not get back, it follows you into how people describe you, and it puts your name in a story you did not write. The cost is easy to ignore because it is paid slowly, in small amounts, after the exciting part is over.

Next time something kicks off, ask what you will have spent by Friday if you get involved. Sometimes the answer is that it is worth it, and then go in on purpose. Most of the time you will find you were about to pay for something you did not even want.