Which angry are you?

When someone is angry, it could be shown in three different ways:

- Aggressive: when anger is expressed openly to hurt someone physically, emotionally or psychologically.

- Passive aggressive: Repressing anger by bottling up the emotion or indirectly hurting someone by spreading rumours and giving a cold shoulder.

- Assertive: When anger is expressed directly in non-threatening ways or is acknowledged and dealt with at a more appropriate time.

Ways to minimise the negative impact of anger at the workplace:

- Help people in the workforce feel empowered. Let them have a say to make them feel involved.

- During times of uncertainty and change, be transparent and communicate with people affected.

- Encourage an environment that values diversity.

- Recognise incidents of workplace hostility and address them before they get out of hand.

- Learn to recognise symptoms of workplace anger. Provide employees with constructive avenues to express frustrations and concerns.

- Monitor workplace culture so that unwanted behaviour is eliminated.

- Never confront people until you have all the facts.

- Be a good role model — it will encourage others to act the same way.

Emotional journey

When a change is imposed, people go through a change curve of emotional responses. When people realise that change is coming, they will wake up and often have extreme reactions.

This might lead to denial and resistance to undergo change. However, focusing more on the benefits would lead to a more productive and accepting environment.