The Critical Role of Self Control

Giving evidence, and in particular being cross-examined can be very harrowing and challenging, but one of the worst things you can do is to lose your temper.

Of course it is easier said than done, but losing your self-control is harmful to your presentation and your case in a number of ways.

When you lose your self control you are sending a very clear message to not only the judge, but to those cross-examining you.

Essentially what you are relaying to them is that your character is such that you may be inclined to lose self control, and this rarely presents you in a positive light.

What it also does is signal to those cross-examining you how easily you may become rattled, defensive and controlled by the questions posed or the manner in which you are questioned.

To put it bluntly witnesses who are not in control of themselves are easily manipulated by skilled barristers or lawyers.

Lawyers cross-examining you are thus likely to deliberately provoke you further because you have shown them where and how you are vulnerable and in so doing attracted the type of cross-examination designed to anger you.

Loss of control whilst giving evidence though harms your presentation in other crucially important ways, because how likely is it that you are able to answer questions in a thought out, professional manner when your emotions are stirred up and you are not in full control of yourself.

To answer questions properly you have to be able to listen effectively to the question asked.

Then you have to be able to think about the question and decide how best to answer it. That’s really hard to do when your emotions are unregulated and all over the place.

Another point to bear in mind is that when answering questions, when you are not in fully in control of yourself you are very unlikely to exercise both the poise and balance required to answer questions in a full and appropriately considered way.

It is just so hard to think clearly and choose how to best respond at times when you allow your feelings to be hijacked and your professionalism or normally stoic nature to be undermined or compromised.

You can only think and feel one thing at a time and when aroused with anger you are not thinking at all. That is why so many people make decisions when angry and then regret them when they have had time to think about their behaviour, once in a calmer state of mind.

If you think about it yourself, whose evidence or account would you prefer to believe and value, someone who presents as calm and considered, or someone who displays a tendency to become intemperate and surly.

If you are going to give evidence well and answer the often tricky and difficult questions asked of you during cross-examination you are going to have exercise much self-control or discipline.

It is your choice how you respond to any question or situation you find yourself in at any moment. No matter what is said to you or how others approach or react towards you, you have a choice about the attitude you show to others.

When in the witness box you have to constantly be aware that you are being scrutinised, so if you want to present in the best way possible it is imperative you maintain control of your emotions, thoughts and responses. ?

It also helps if you keep at the forefront of your mind the child, young person, or adult who is your client. Keeping your client uppermost in your thoughts can help you decide or guide how you wish to answer questions, demonstrating that you are focused on them and their best interests. ????