Modern Business Magazine June 2016 | Page 20

MODERN BUSINESS Losing Your Temper at Work? 5 Tips for Taming Your Tiger By Muffy Churches A re you walking away from conversations or meetings with that feeling of regret, that once again you’ve lost your cool? It can happen to any of us, no matter where we happen to sit on the professional totem pole. We know it’s not attractive, nor is it graceful or effective, but somehow it happens and it can leave us, and those present, with a sense of uneasiness. 20 ModernBusiness June 2016 There are a zillion possible reasons for being unusually irritable. Sometimes, external forces are at play behind the scenes: poor health, mental fatigue, family issues, physical exhaustion, or financial concerns. Sometimes though, we can point the finger at our ‘inner force’ being the culprit and by that I mean the quality of our mind-set or thinking. That inner voice that I call my evil-twin that is so darn sensitive to perceived competition, to not being in control, to not being ‘right’, or just plain enjoys being contrary. Whatever the cause, if you’re willing to do a little homework before the next work engagement that has the potential to make you growl… Here are 5 tips for transforming the snappy snarl into a productive purr.