I've recently joined a group that's trying to establish a new park. This, tragically, has required that I attend several community meetings. I was at one such meeting the other night when we had a guest speaker, a man who'd previously gone down our path. He rattled off some good advice, including "When you talk to the county commissioners, be ready for difficult questions and evasions. Don't take it personally. It's just what they do. And don't send anyone to meet with them who will get impatient or hostile."
Everyone turned around to look at me. Finally, a use for my disposition.