How to channel anger into better
performance
Most of us get defensive and angry when our goals are frustrated
or when we feel attacked by other people. Anger is normal, and it
should be expressed: failing to express anger, and bottling it up,
can build feelings of intense frustration and eventually lead to
depression. However, if in your case being angry regularly turns
into “losing your temper”, and if this is the only way you know how
to deal with criticism and problems, it will not only damage your
reputation and personal relationships but also cause stress-related
diseases.
Aggression is not the same as assertiveness
Working with, or living with, someone who regularly loses their
temper is extremely unpleasant and demoralising: it’s hard to trust
a person when you are constantly worrying that they will turn on
you and unleash their anger, often unpredictably. Don’t make the
mistake of confusing fear with genuine feelings of respect: your
employees are almost certainly looking for another job. And if you
are looking for promotion, it is unlikely to happen: a good manager
is assertive but not aggressive; a good listener and not a
shouter.
However, the good news is that there are ways to help control anger
and even channel it into a positive force, helping you explore
problems more effectively and find real solutions. So next time you
feel your temper rising, try the following: