If anyone has ever said that someone in the C-Suite had a ‘meltdown,’ they may be referring to the behavior of some executives to release tidal waves of anger. Lashing out or venting anger in the boardroom and towards employees is almost a surefire way to intimidate, rather than motivate, people to excel. Learning to cultivate peace at work is an important skill, as important as learning to control one’s anger.
Anger Feels Good
Anger almost always makes a person feel better in the moment, but feel guilty afterwards. This powerful, strong emotion can come out when trying to defend a position, express an opinion, or just vent strong feelings. Fear forces people to think in the short term (keep source of fear away) and keeps people from taking risks for fear of failure and receiving wrath.
Get What You Want Not What You Ask
The natural consequence of fear is compliance. Doing what you want through sheer force and making people afraid is not cultivating positive energy in the workplace. People who act without thinking are more prone to making mistakes. You may want strong, strategic thinkers who bring energy and creativity to meet challenges but anger short-circuits all of that.
Anger Poisons the Possessor
Anger has an effect on people that is generally negative. When we give into anger, we get more angry. The more we get angry, the harder it is to lead outside of anger and without fear, intimidation and exploitation. Anger is something that happens, it is part of the human experience. Letting it control you can poison you and bleed into the employees who work for you building a culture of resentment.
Stop and Listen
Anger is part of the fight-or-flight response system our body has for kicking into gear the need to move right now away from danger. We may feel threatened and it is a primal emotion.The adrenaline that surges through our veins when angry can be overwhelming and cause us to say things we may later regret. Learning to stop that impulse before it starts can take time. Anger management is a skill that must be taught to some people who are unable to control anger impulses. Active listening can help lessen anger but if you lash out without understanding how or why it happened so quickly, you may need help managing your behavior. Anger can ruin any business you are working to develop. Don’t let it ruin your business and life. Consider some anger management classes or finding other ways to curb your anger before it takes a toll on you and your business.
Anger management is a skill that can be taught to most people who are receptive to learning. If you are struggling with anger, addiction, and mental health issues we are here to help. You are not alone in feeling angry. It can be isolating to feel angry, especially as an executive who runs a business. We have executive programs designed with you in mind. Our serene location in Laguna Beach is the perfect place to find healing and peace. Call us to find out how we can help you get there: 877-279-1777
