"It really works!" "Well, I'll be?!"
BJ like so many others in the workshop was astounded that a technique so simple could produce such an amazing result. You must try it. Next time your partner flares up in anger do this. In a very non-threatening calm and sincere tone of voice say...
"You're really mad right now?" or "Something I did made you angry?"
And watch the energy change. The anger dissipates almost like magic. A sense of relief replaces the intense emotion.
Most every time acknowledging anger in a compassionate manner diffuses the emotion and a rational conversation can continue. It works for life and business partners, for parents of teenagers, employers and staff, and even customer service representatives fielding calls from enraged consumers.
A word of caution, this technique is not to be used with the violent abuser, the rage-aholic, or a person under the influence of a mood altering substance. With this population this approach may well back fire and heighten the negative emotion instead of diffuse it. However, it works fantastically 99% of the time with those of us average folk who get frustrated and mad due to life's common stresses.
Wait a minute though, we're not done yet, there are two important keys to this 'magic' that you must remember:
Tone of Voice: This is so critical. If you come across the least bit hurt, angry yourself, or sarcastic you dispel the magic. Your partner, friend, child or colleague will get defensive and the anger will not dissipate. Your tone must be calm, totally sincere, warm and kind. For it to be that way you have to feel that way. Not necessarily easy if you are experiencing elevated emotions yourself. Therefore this tactic generally works best right at the onset of a possible argument and not when one is already raging.
So, the key here is act quickly, focus on remaining calm and genuinely feel for the other person.
Verbally identify the Anger: Formulating the right words is not as crucial as coming across sincere and kindly. It is important that you verbally state the perceived emotion, in this case anger. You may choose to label it 'frustration' or say 'annoyed' instead of 'anger' which ever you feel fits best. The important thing is to identify it in a questioning manner. Yes, it must be a question and not a statement of fact. You must allow the other person to confirm your assumption. If you express your comment as a fact your partner, friend, child or colleague is liable to stay anger and put up more barriers instead of allowing them to crumble.
Key here is to pose a brief question regarding the anger you perceive in such a manner that the other responds in the affirmative.
"Yes I am" is accompanied or immediately followed by a sense of release and a rational conversation is once again possible.
Where to go from here, well, that's for another discussion, for now just remember to stay calm and focused on the issue at hand and you'll do fine.
Remember, life is short?ENJOY!
Margrit Harris
Your Relationship Expert for Life and Business Partners
http://www.stratateam.com/advice.asp
Margrit is a former Team Relationship Consultant for First Union Securities [now Wachovia], Morgan Stanley, and many small business owners and professionals. She was a marriage and family therapist for several years as well. Today Margrit offers free relationship advice on-line, writes articles for Horsesmouth [an on-line service for financial advisors] and makes money selling her Relationship Tests [called Awareness Tools]. Soon her Relationship Principles e-books [for Life and Business Partners] and other stuff to make bad relationships good and good relationships great will also be available at http://www.stratateam.com/advice.asp
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..My story explains the struggles I had as a 23-year-old... Read More
Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More
"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone... Read More
We all need encouragement. Even the most callous, hard headed... Read More
Millions struggle through life barely earning enough to survive. Many... Read More
So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More
The summer I was 20 years old, I worked as... Read More
Have you ever noticed how many unhappy people there are... Read More
Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
Who are you?We all know that we are composed of... Read More
"Those people who think they can do something and those... Read More
Speaking comes to most people as naturally as breathing. On... Read More
The one thing that is absolutely vital to overcoming shyness... Read More
There is a wonderful story about the famous escape artist,... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
"You can't always get what you want . . ."... Read More
IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More
I was a young girl aged 12, when the one... Read More
Recently, a lady came to see me and she had... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More
There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More
Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back! That was the... Read More
One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More
Let's say you're ready to change some aspect of your... Read More
"Work on your career and you'll make a living. Work... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
The only constant is change. If theres one thing we... Read More
Question: "It's only three months. Or six months. Or a... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More
The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
No, not that kind.Power and potential are synonymous. Your ultimate... Read More
What do you do when things in your life don't... Read More
I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
It's time to put a bad rumor to rest right... Read More
In frustration it's easy to jump to false conclusions that... Read More
"Most overnight successes are just plain lucky. Just ask any... Read More
I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More
Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
Imagine what your life would be like if you could... Read More
Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you... Read More
There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |