You know those days when you are so frustrated you want to explode! You have asked someone to do something and it doesn’t get done. Whether it’s at home or at the office, it can be hard to keep your cool when your husband/child/co-worker/team member just doesn’t seem to listen.
In the workplace, you don’t have the luxury of ‘losing your cool’. It’s a challenge we all face from time to time and fortunately there are some techniques that you can use to navigate these choppy waters without breaking trust of the people you work with or suffering sleepless nights and carb binges.
Blaming others for how we feel
Getting into the habit of blaming people for how we feel is not helpful. Sit with the feeling and notice what is going on for you.
Keeping calm and relaxed
Acceptance is key to keeping calm and relaxed. I have experienced that when I resist something (whether it be a person or situation) I will become emotional. What are you resisting?
Know when to engage
It is OK to feel emotional, be gentle with yourself and take some space until you calm down. The skill here is to know when to engage and when to step back.
The easiest way to work effectively with others
We are all different, embrace your uniqueness and that of others. Understanding the needs of the other and interacting using adult behaviours will help.
Do I have all the facts?
Respect others by asking. You can look like a real goose if you constantly criticise others for what they haven’t done without evidence or checking in with them. Clarify and find out the facts first. Make sure what you are thinking or feeling is correct. Best to check rather than assume and accuse.
Negotiations aren’t just for the boardroom
Learn how to negotiate rather than resorting to manipulation or other ways that may damage workplace relationships.
Forgiveness
Forgive others. Technically this person may be an amazing worker. Maybe in the scheme of things when we became busy we forgot they are people.
- Spend time to observe your thoughts
- gently acknowledge that you have resisted something
- clarifying what is going on
- provide feedback on how things could be done differently, and
- look for ways to accept others
For we are all doing the best we can.