Earlier in May I was interviewed on the topic of Workplace Conflict by a highly respected colleague in the HR field, Amy McGeachy, HR Consultant and Executive Coach with McGeachy Consulting.
Amy: We’ve all been there; what do you recommend to professionals who are emotionally charged up about an issue at work?
Berry: When emotions run high, it is best to take a time out and delay your response to the issue. Tell your co-worker that it is important for you to resolve the issue and that you ‘ll get back to them in 10 minutes, or the next morning when you are calmer. Take time to reflect why you are emotionally charged about the issue. Remember that this is about the issue, not about the person. Ask yourself what personal value is challenged for you in the situation? How does the issue impact you and your relationship? Talk with someone else to explore these questions for yourself. Learn how to express your anger, to name it, instead of playing it out in situations like this.
Amy: What tips do you have to remove or reduce the emotion in order to respond appropriately?
Berry: Removing or reducing the emotion is sometimes challenging. When we don’t deal with our emotions, even at the workplace, our emotions will deal with us. We will fight, flight or freeze when an emotion comes up in our body. A key so success is to learn to express the emotion without getting caught up in it. Saying that you are angry and need a time out is much more constructive than kicking a garbage can and slamming the door on your way out. When we get emotional it shows up somewhere in our body. Taking a time out, going for a walk around the block or just shifting your body from seating to standing or vice versa helps clear things.
To be continued…