Ever Lost Your Temper in the Office?

For many people, losing your temper in the office isn't something that they would even consider. If anything, they would be more likely to lose it outside of the office after biting your tongue all day about something.

But some people don't have a problem with blowing a fuse at work - they think it's OK. They think that screaming at colleagues will get them respect (read: fear) and get the job done quicker (deluded).

Here's 5 reasons why losing your temper in the office makes you the only loser


1. Shouting at colleagues motivates them
It only motivates them into making more mistakes because you've scared and intimidated them. That's all. You've lost your temper over a mistake and this will only make people around you nervous that you'll do it again. Its now more likely than ever that another mistake will be made and you can guarantee that morale has been shot.

TIP - Why not try dealing with mistake calmly and after you've had 5 minutes to think it through rather than reacting to it. Take a deep breath, walk away and think. When you know what you want the outcome of your 'talk' to be, then you're ready to face your team. Worse, it absolutely kills morale. No one wants to work for a temperamental jerk, especially if it begins to feel like the jerk is just manipulating you

2. You've Lost your Talent
If you get angry and lose your temper with your colleagues, the most talented team members will eventually start job hunting. When people are good, they usually want respect and give respect and you've lost yours with every temper tantrum. If you shout at people then you are making it personal. Swearing, insults, sarcasm and aggressive body language are a huge turn off for the very people who you hired to make you look great. So curb it.

TIP - It's very hard to respect someone with little self control so work on that aspect of your personality. Start yoga classes or get into a routine of long walks after work to help you unwind. You need to learn little tricks to help you get calm when you feel an outburst coming. Do your homework or risk the high price you'll eventually pay for not doing so.

3.I'm only angry because I'm passionate about what I do!
Don't confuse passion with anger. Its good to be passionate about your job and each and every task but when you start using it as an excuse to lose your temper when someone makes a mistake, then you are really saying that you're not confident and not in control. You're letting your feelings get in the way of your thinking and that's not what people expect in an office. If you're a creative type and work in a creative environment, it can be tough to curb need to express yourself but shouting and getting angry with colleagues only sends out the wrong messages. I'm no longer in control.

TIP - Try to be clear with colleagues about your high expectations at the start of a task and open the road to communication early on. Limit the likelihood of things going wrong by letting it be known people can ask questions. A culture of fear always creates more mistakes because people are too scared to ask and then it's too late.

4. Anger Management
Some people are just really angry and lose their tempers over anything. They get labeled as having anger issues or a short fuse. No one wants to be around people like that and its a reputation that sticks. Is this you?

TIP - If so, acknowledge it and get help with it and change it. Get some balance in your life. Get more in your life than work and have an outlet for your frustration. Some swear by running whilst squash is the game of choice for others. Whatever it takes, do it because it's a destructive trait for you and those around you.

5. You are what you eat
When a toddler behave the way some people act in the office and has a full on tantrum, everyone always asks about what they've been eating. We all know junk food and additives send kids temporarily off the rails but bad food and bad eating habits does the same for adults. If you find yourself angry in the office all the time, look to your diet.

TIP -
Limit your coffee intake to 2 a day.
Eat fruit and nuts for snacks and not crisps and chocolate.
Don't skip breakfast and overeat at lunch.
Try not to eat hot meals at lunch time - they only make you sleepy and this makes you less patient.
Drink plenty of water
Avoid drinking alcohol at lunch time - for obvious reasons.
Your mood will stabilise and you'll have fewer highs and consequent crashes.


Does this sound like you? Have you worked with people who lose it in the office regularly?




photograph by Jekkyl (flickr)