Management

Anger Management

Anger Management
Can You Hold Your Nerve?

Anger is a common human emotion expressed in different ways. If not repressed and dealt pertinently, it could lead to negative corollary.

A driver might have collided with you in the traffic for no mistake of yours. Yours colleague might get all the credit you deserve. The customer service representative did not answer your call properly. All these are the grievances, which are brazen out in our daily life since we interact with people from different walks of life. These instances make things increasingly difficult, and can be very annoying, livid and also lead to frustration, resulting in intense wrath or anger. It is basically a reflex to an inner emotion rather than a planned act and is arguable one of the most difficult emotions to control, and is probably the most misunderstood and for that matter, overused emotion. According to Robert W Westermeyer, “Anger is an emotion, which, like anxiety spoils any system”

We do use quite a few abysmal words when we feel violated in some way or the other. Just remember and think for a second, when and why were you angry last time? Maybe because you were ignored, or maybe because you were traduced, or perhaps ill-treated. These are enough reasons to make people angry. The emotion of anger is such that it is very slow and will slowly but surely erupts. We possess emotions like violence, hatred, rage, etc., which are difficult to control. However, it could be better if such behavior is allowed to be on hold. We may feel relieved for that moment when we release it, but the aftermath would be pretty bitter.

Anger at Workplace

Anger at workplace is increasing in recent times. We have to admit that we work under a high stress in a quickly changing world and with constant demands at workplaces. We can also empathize that we have to experience times of despair, and this sums up the things that stress and strain can push a normal person to the rampage. Sometimes we get angry when our colleague takes away the credit, which we deserve and would be absolutely furious. Also at times, there might be differences of opinion with others, which can also result in gnashing our teeth. Often we fail to identify the alarming signals of our co-worker or staff’s anger that is shown in various ways like procrastinating the work, sarcasm etc., but anger makes us less prolific, which in turn also causes illness. This is particularly true at the workplace where losing heart can lead to annihilation, and at times also liable to legal prosecution. Anger is a strong emotion or experiential state occurring in response to a real or imagined frustration, threat or injustice (Biaggio & Maiuro). Everyone has their own way of expressing anger; some of them are:

1) The “Mad Hatter” Driver: Person under this category scream and curse at others when they are really in anger.
2) The Sulker: Persons belonging to this group stop working and sit idly in the chair. They get irritated and go away if you talk to them in this situation.
3) The Blamer: People tend to blame everything on others and very rarely accept their mistakes.

There are quite a number of things that we can do to manager anger. Given below are a few anger management techniques, which we already aware, but the miserable part is that we do not apply it when we confront anger. Try these out…

Get Off

Act immediately unless you are waiting for your anger to boil. The first sensible move would be to try and get away from the situation that has been bothering you and go to a quiet place and take a breather. Being there at the lace can stress your mind, and there is also possibility of even exploding more. This is a more constructive approach, since your anger does carry a message. Come out of that angry illusion. Try talking to yourself and put off all the negative fuss and set yourself free. This not only helps in keeping your cool, but also enhances the chances of solving the problem. Listen to music or a soothing tune, which makes you feel comfortable. Having said that, suppressing your anger can lead to some health defects.

Physical Instincts

When we are angry, blood pressure automatically goes up. The heart beat and the breathing rate tend to go up during this period. Arrest these physical intuitions by relaxing. If necessary, go for a walk, put everything behind and try to shift your focus. If we are really interested in resolving this issue, it is better to show some concern for the other person’s feelings and emotions. This is really an uphill task, considering the state of our position, but obligatory in our endeavors. Get on with him, meet the person in private and the discussion that is followed makes it even more productive, unless or until no threatening or aggressive statements are made. Also analyze where there is any need for the third person’s intervention. Give the other individual a chance to express his version for quick salvation.

Leyland Pitt, Professor of Management, Simon Frazer University, opines, “Giving chances for others to speak means that almost half the problem is solved. But unfortunately we forget the basics and start behaving in an explosive way, quite unnecessarily. Managers must train people as to how to cope with anger, stress and strain and as a result, ensure smooth functioning of the organization.

Baffles Health and Relationships

Anurag Prashar, Head of Customer Service Delivery, Bharti Airtel Limited, says, “Daily, we come across many angry people, but our people do not lose cool to keep up the relationship. Customer retention depends on the way you handle people and we at Airtel would strive for a good relationship.”

posted by nixhacks @ 11:07 PM