I wouldn’t recommend anger at work, but sometimes engineers do get angry at a process, problem, or piece of equipment. On the other side, in technical consultative sales, we try not to get angry at our clients, at least not directly. After all, in the business world, anger is often viewed as an unsavory emotion. The individual has lost self-control — a cardinal sin in business, right?
In an article addressing anger in the business world, Forbes contributor Neil Patel notes anger can:
- hinder thought process
- lead to rash, impulsive decisions
- create rifts between business partners, colleagues and clients.
Anger Upside
Yet Patel also suggested anger can have a major upside if used as fuel to build a business.
“Anger is actually useful when harnessed and controlled because it fosters useful behavioral capabilities,” according to an Inc. reporter’s summary of Emotional Intelligence experts Henry Evans and Colm Foster. Anger creates focus and generates confidence, they suggest. In fact, the highest performing people and teams tap into and express the entire spectrum of emotions.
So, how exactly might you channel anger to for positive ends? Patel offered 10 ideas:
1. Improve Communication
2. Achieve Hyper-Focus
3. Eliminate Fear
4. Boost Your Confidence
5. Take Action
6. Ignite Your Passion
7. Show Perseverance
8. Aid in Negotiation
9. Show Your Humanness
10. Provide Self-Insight
The important thing about anger in business is to harness the emotion in a smart, controlled way. Avoid getting mad at people (focus on an action or event instead) and try not to say things you will later regret.
Ultimately, anger is one of many authentic emotions. Ignoring it, or trying to hide it, can have many negative impacts both on your professional life and personal well-being. As Inc.’s Jeff Haden pointed out, “Anger is authentic — and so are great leaders.”
Be a great leader by learning to channel your emotions — negative and positive both — in a productive way that helps your focus and drives your business success.
“Anger is authentic — and so are great leaders.”