Like countless other people, you’ve probably seen at least one compilation of people totally losing it at work, and showing some behavior that’s unprofessional to say the least. Although these can be amusing to watch, this kind of behavior can end your career in an instant.

Work Stressed Accounts

If you’re worried about the amount of anger you feel at work, it’s important to nip the issue in the bud. Here are some effective self-help tips to try.

Focus on the Issue, Not the Person

Everyone’s had to work with at least one colleague who drives them nuts. Dealing with them can be very tricky terrain. They’re kind of like your close friend’s annoying partner.

You might hear that friend say some pretty hurtful things about them after a big fight, but if you add some insults of your own, they’ll defend them in a pretty ferocious way.

Jobs, like marriage, are fairly permanent. Unless you’re prepared to lose your job over a single stress-fuelled outburst, don’t make any enemies at work. Make an effort to work with people, rather than against them. If they’re causing a serious problem in the organization, try to focus on combatting the results, rather than taking the colleague on directly.

Step into the Person’s Shoes

Seen as you’re reading tips on anger management, you’re probably a Buddhist monk compared to some of the rageaholics who end up running to a battery attorney!

However, you can’t expect everyone around you to be as self-aware. When you feel that a co-worker, or even worse, your boss, is being unreasonable about something, then they may well be.

However, you should still try to understand them, and get to the root of the issue. Are they being stubborn or lashing out over their hurt feelings? Are they cracking under the pressure of their job? It can be hard, but make an effort to see the situation from the other person’s perspective.

The issues they’re facing may not justify their behavior, but it can help you to look at the situation in a different light, and figure out how to communicate with them more effectively. This can mean the difference between calmly diffusing the situation and erupting into a nuclear war of an argument!

Work on Clarity of Expression

If you find yourself arguing with someone who says that the sky is green, or two and two makes five, it can be tempting to stop talking altogether and flip over a table. Don’t do this.

Before you assume the person is a self-righteous expletive, take a step back and check that you’re making your point crystal clear. You may even be misunderstanding their perspective on the situation. When conversations get heated, it’s pretty easy to miss a few key points and details. Try to slow it all down, and really chew over what’s being said. Once you’re sure you understand the situation, present your side as calmly and clearly as possible. Focus on articulate reasoning, rather than scoring a victory.

If the pressures of working life are making your blood boil, I hope these tips can help you mitigate the issue.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.