Studies have shown that anger in the workplace is quite rampant, and it tends to be highly intense. The most dramatic examples of workplace anger have resulted in workplace violence, where employees or former employees physically harmed either themselves or their co-workers.
Controlling Your Anger in The Workplace is Critical
What leads to anger in the workplace? Why does it occur? Most importantly, how can it be reduced or avoided entirely? In this article we will attempt to answer these questions. To understand anger in the workplace, one must be able to understand the nature of capitalism itself. In a nutshell, capitalism is highly competitive.
Businesses, both small, medium, and large, compete in a dog eats dog world, where managers and employees must do virtually anything it takes in order for the organization to remain competitive. Not only must different organizations around the globe compete with each other for supremacy in their industry and market, but employees within the same organization must compete with each other in order to get the raises and promotions which will allow them to work their way up the corporate ladder.
The problem is, in many organizations, promotions and raises are given based on connections, as opposed to merit. Some managers also play favorites, giving all kinds of perks to employees they like while giving nothing to those they do not other than headaches.
In other words, office politics is one of the key things that causes anger in the workplace, and when this is combined with the stress that is associated with getting projects completed within deadlines, or meeting specific sales quota, it is easy to see why workplace anger has become so common.
A great deal of research on this subject indicates that well over 40% of employees spend their time either in conflict or figuring out a way to mitigate it. This is a very big deal when you consider the fact that this can reduce the performance of the employees, which in turn reduces the performance of the company, which in itself reduces the company’s profitability over the long term. As the old saying goes, "a house that is divided against itself cannot stand."
How to Deal with Workplace Anger
One way of handling anger in the workplace is for all employees to understand that communication is the best way to resolve conflict. When I say "communication," I am of course referring to communication methods which are acceptable socially. It should be communication which can be utilized in such a way that it does not interrupt the flow of work.
When it comes to work place anger, it is a waste of time to sit around wondering whether or not a co-worker is right or wrong for feeling the way they do. Instead, it is better to deal with the angry feelings in a manner which is constructive. The next thing that must be managed in the workplace is stress, a precursor of anger.
Just prior to becoming angry, many workers will be under a lot of stress, and as I pointed out earlier in this article, many organizations are filled when environments which cause a lot of stress. Some techniques which can keep people from becoming more upset is to control their breathing, alter their expectations, and become better at managing their time.
It is also necessary for employees to change their mind view so that when they are hit by stressors, these stressors are not capable of crushing them. It is also important for employees to make sure that they are getting the proper amount of rest, as well as having a diet which is nutritious. Companies should stress the importance of employees taking care of their health so they can perform at a higher rate.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence also plays an important role in reducing work place anger. A person who has a high EQ is capable of identifying their own feelings, as well as the feelings of others, and they are able to motivate themselves and handle their emotions in a way that allows them to dramatically enhance the relationships they have with others.
