Hi! Managers: Control your anger before it controls you

Anger is a completely normal human emotion. But whenever it gets out of control, it will definitely turn into destruction and lead to problems.

What if a leader in an organisation cannot control his or her anger?

I am not a movie critic, but I can say that the movie is so dead on! The movie was hilariously funny. Underneath, it similarly reflected life like looking at a mirror.

The role of Adam Sandler as Dave, a businessman, showed a variety of reactions to anger - expressing, suppressing and calming.

Expressing anger in an assertive manner is appropriated.

Suppressing anger can give pause to your angry feeling. It will, then, be converted or redirected into more constructive behaviour.

Calming anger is a way to control both an outward behaviour and an internal response.

Neither shouting nor yelling at people is productive. Leaders have to clarify what they need as well as guide or coach on how to achieve the goal.

In addition, leaders are required to be more respectful of themselves and others.

The role of Jack Nicholson as Dr Buddy, an anger management guru, gives tips on handling anger.

Anger management aims to reduce both emotional feelings and physiological arousal.

You need to find the reason for your feelings of anger because letting it rip actually escalates anger and aggression, but does nothing to help you resolve or improve the situation.

Anger can be caused by both internal and external factors. You could be angry at a specific person, for example, a colleague, subordinate or supervisor, or an event, for example, traffic. It could also be caused by worrying or pressure from an assignment or the work environment.

Here are some simple health tips you can try:

Give yourself a quiet break, especially when you are particularly stressed out.

Breathe deeply from your diaphragm because breathing from your chest will not relax you.

Slowly repeat a calming word or phrase, such as "relax" or "take it easy", and repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply.

Visualise a relaxing experience from either your memory or your imagination.

Use humour to get a more balanced perspective, but be careful of laughing off your problem or using sarcastic humour.

Avoid words such as "never or "always" when talking about yourself or someone else, as well as say "I would like" rather than "I demand" or "I must have".

Practice these techniques everyday and use them automatically when you are in a tense situation.

Listen, you cannot eliminate your anger. Despite all efforts, unpleasant things will happen. They will absolutely trigger anger, and sometimes that will be justifiable anger.

Life is filled with frustration, pain, loss and unpredictable actions.

You cannot control them. But you can change the way you let them influence or obsess you.

You can cure your angry responses.

Control it before it controls you!

Chantana Sukumanont is an executive vice president of Siam City Cement. Her column appears every second Monday of the month.