subject: How to Manage Your Anger and Maintain Professionalism [print this page] Learning the ability to separate the emotion from the behavior of angry people is an important step in being able to serve as a positive role model.
Anger is a difficult emotion to deal with because it is easily triggered by challenging individuals. However, knowing how to express anger in a healthy way shows others around you that it is, in fact, possible to be angry without becoming aggressive.
Anger is a very normal human emotion, but it can become challenging to maintain a professional demeanor when you start to feel angry. Learning how to deal with anger appropriately will ensure you are able to maintain your professionalism no matter what the situation.
Everyone expresses anger in different ways, many of which are unlikely to change or improve a situation. An angry person can exhibit a range of behaviors, including pretending nothing is wrong, losing his temper and doing or saying something he later regrets, withdrawing and sulking, or using sarcasm and taunting others.
Expressing Your Anger
If you want to express your anger in a constructive manner, focus on using the following methods to make sure you maintain your professionalism.
Be direct, specific, and brief. Try to focus only on the issue at hand and resist the urge to bring up other issues or situations that occurred in the past. It is hard enough to solve one problem at a time. Bringing up the past could result in confusion and resentment.
Focus on your feelings and don't blame others. Make sure you do not blame others for your own actions, just as you expect of others.
Listen to the other person's response. Try to listen emphatically to really make sense of what the other person is telling you.
Have realistic expectations. Understand that other people have the right to have differing opinions from your own, and you won't be able to change them.
Anger Management
Like any other skill you want to improve, anger management takes practice. Use these guidelines to begin learning how to manage your anger more effectively.
Be aware of your own response to anger. Notice how your body physiologically responds when you start to feel angry. You may notice changes in your heart or breathing rate, or feel sick to your stomach. Noticing these symptoms will help you realize when you are at risk for losing control.
Breathe deeply. By taking deep breaths, you will increase the supply of oxygen to the brain and increase your level of calmness.
Ask yourself, "Why am I angry?" Ask yourself these questions: Why am I allowing this person to trigger my anger? Has he hit a "sore spot?" Made me feel frightened, insecure, or inadequate in some way? Could I be overreacting because of other stresses in my lifetrouble at home or financial concerns?
Decide if you want to speak up. If you do decide to express your anger, express it without sarcasm or other undesirable behavior. Remember that you can also choose not to express your anger at all, but instead, continue in a calm, professional manner.
How to Manage Your Anger and Maintain Professionalism
