If you are in charge of an organization --- or just a middle manager --- it’s been hard lately NOT to blow up at those around us as we deal with the stress of the economic crisis and pressures from our customers, our co-workers, and our family. If you are like me, you immediately regret it once it happens. But it happens anyway…
A hot temper can create a lot of destruction in a very short time…not unlike a tornado. In addition, if you are prone to blow ups, those around you may couch their comments rather than risk your wrath. When this happens, your associates may not provide all the information you need to properly manage your enterprise.
You can't stop the world from making you angry. If only! Controlling your temper, though, can be learned. A good example is golfer Tiger Woods. The following tips are adapted from one of his early coaches. He is certainly a living example that this process can work! So to keep your cool, try these three steps:
1. REACT. Feel and name the emotion while you take as many deep breaths as you need to help you let it go.
2. REFOCUS. Review what you are trying to accomplish, and what you need to do today to move it forward.
3. RE-ENGAGE. Connect with the situation by developing your own version of what Tiger Woods does after a bad shot: He goes through step 1 and 2, then stands up to the next one and says: "Execute."
If you try these tips and don't succeed right away, keep trying. In the meantime, you might want to master another art: the humble apology.
People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing. ~Will Rogers