How Restore Productivity When. Losing Productivity in the Face of Anger: What Leaders Can DoThe Power of Anger in the WorkplaceLuke and I recently participated in a turkey trot race, and while my advance planning didn’t go as pla
didn’t go as planned, I soon realized that anger wasn’t the leader’s issue – it was mine. This personal experience made me think about how often anger can arise in everyday situations, including those at work.
Effective leaders don’t shy away from anger; instead, they address it proactively. When anger arises, leaders should take steps to get people back to productivity. Here are three key actions to take:
The Steps to Take
- Establish the facts of the situation.
- Focus on the goal that brings people together.
- Encourage collaboration and agree on actions to achieve the goal.
Let’s take these steps one by one.
Step one is to establish the facts of the situation. When someone feels wronged, they tend to focus on blame rather than the reality of what happened. As a leader, it’s crucial to bring the parties together to discuss the facts without interrupting or jumping to conclusions. Make sure everyone understands that this conversation is about finding the truth, not assigning blame. By doing this, leaders can create an environment where people feel heard and understood.
Once the facts are clear, step two is to focus on the goal that brings people together. This can be challenging, especially when emotions are running high. Leaders need to appeal to people’s shared goals, such as delivering high-quality work or meeting deadlines. By refocusing on the larger objectives, leaders can redirect the conversation towards finding solutions rather than dwelling on past mistakes.
Step three is to encourage collaboration and agree on actions to achieve the goal. Leaders should empower team members to suggest action items that align with the shared goal. By collaborating, people can work together to achieve common objectives, ultimately reducing anger and restoring productivity.
While anger is inevitable in the workplace, leaders can take proactive steps to manage it. By following these three steps, leaders can create a more productive and positive work environment. What consequences of anger have you experienced in your workplace?
Conclusion
Losing productivity in the face of anger is a common challenge leaders encounter in the workplace. By following these three steps, leaders can proactively manage anger and create an environment where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to achieve shared goals.
Losing productivity in work environments is often a common issue; learning to address anger can help leaders regain lost productivity. What steps have you taken to address anger in the workplace?
References:
For more in-depth information on managing anger at work, consider reading the article “How To Restore Productivity When People Are Angry” here.
