In Dynamics of Software Development, something I haven't read, Jim McCarthy gives a list of rules to deal with interpersonal and political relationships in software. One of these is "Don't Flip the Bozo Bit," cautioning us all against completely shutting down our relationship with someone we work with. Even if we don't like them, they may still have an idea worthy of consideration, so disregarding all of their professional contributions is weakening the team arbitrarily.

But here's the thing... "flip the bozo bit" is such an evocative term that I use it all the time. It so succinctly describes when I absolutely have come across people in public (not work!) ridiculous enough that the only way to cope is to flip that bozo bit and ignore them.

Have you ever gotten advice against something that ultimately put words to something you do, so maybe you do it more?

Positive outcomes preferred, of course, haha.