Advisory: The Benefit of Distancing Yourself from Irate Individuals
Dr. Bill English, an executive coach with a background in psychology, runs OnPath Coaching. I recently visited Tom, the boss of a welding company, and witnessed his anger issues firsthand. He would suddenly explode at his employees, using foul language and creating an embarrassing scene. Despite my efforts to help him control his anger, it continued to be a hindrance.
Research shows that inappropriate anger affects around 7.8% of the U.S. population, often leading to aggressive behavior. Businesses often view anger as beneficial, contributing to creativity and productivity. However, studies reveal that anger often impedes reason, judgment, and productivity. Moreover, top talent tends to steer clear of managers with a quick temper or low-grade persistent anger, leading to high turnover rates.
Despite the benefits an unhappy, angry employee might bring, it's not worth the negative impact on morale, productivity, and talent retention. Managing their anger is essential for the overall well-being of the company and its employees.
Executive coaching combined with psychology can be a powerful tool for addressing anger in the workplace. By focusing on emotional intelligence, active listening, behavioral changes, strategic approaches, and mental health support, companies can foster a healthier work environment. Strategies include:
- Emotional Intelligence Training: Courses teaching self-awareness and emotion regulation help employees manage their feelings, reducing conflicts and encouraging collaboration.
- Empathy and Active Listening: Validating employees' feelings and actively listening to them demonstrate respect and understanding, which can quickly diffuse anger and build trust.
- Behavioral Focus: Addressing specific disruptive behaviors rather than attacking the employee's character helps maintain a professional dialogue.
- Calm and Composed Behavior: Staying calm during a situation prevents escalation and sets a positive tone for constructive dialogue.
- Mental Health Resources: Offering access to mental health resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs or anger management counseling, provides employees with tools to manage their anger more effectively.
- Timely Intervention: Managers must be trained to identify early anger indicators, allowing for timely intervention and preventing potential escalation.
By incorporating these strategies into their business model, executive coaches can help businesses create a more supportive and productive work environment, ultimately reducing inappropriate anger and promoting a healthier workplace culture.
Dr. Bill English, the psychologist and executive coach from OnPath Coaching, suggested implementing emotional intelligence training for Tom, the welding company boss, to manage his anger issues more effectively. Despite having a creditline of 5342ab1c3002a0081afadb6a2ac0b6ba for potential coaching expenses, Tom was initially reluctant to engage in psychologically-driven solutions. Moreover, incorporating strategies such as empathy and active listening, behavioral focus, and offering mental health resources into Tom's caseload could significantly improve his leadership skills and create a more positive workplace environment.
