Arguments in workplace are becoming more common these days. Most often we regret saying things we said to our bosses, peers and subordinates in the heat of the moment. Many times we want to take back what we said but unfortunately we don't have that luxury. How about some handy tips to keep yourself calm in an argument so you do not say or do anything that you may regret later?
Take slow deep breaths: Next time your boss is screaming at you and you feel the rising temperature of your blood, try this fast and super effective technique. Take at least five deep breaths without saying a word to him/her. These deep breaths will immediately bring your boiling blood back to normal and you will feel calmer.
Take another five deep breaths and look at your boss. Your face will appear calm as you look at him and this will start having a calming effect on your boss/colleague too. What a simple, fast and handy technique and the best thing is, it always works!
Take a break: If you are in a heated argument with your boss or a colleague and you feel you are losing your calm, the best thing is to take a break. Tell the colleague/boss: 'I understand what you are saying and I will discuss this but just give me 30 minutes or an hour to come back and discuss this'.
As you take a break from the situation you and the other person in the argument will lose the steam and the heat and when you come back to discuss it later, both of you will be in a more receptive situation to listen to the other person and find a solution, rather than just pouncing on each other.
Skip Negative Words, Rephrase: While in an argument, we often tend to say 'You are wrong' or 'This approach is not good or not beneficial'. Rephrase these statements using positive words. For instance instead of 'You are wrong' say 'What you are saying is one perspective to the situation, can we look at this other perspective. This seems more appropriate in the current scenario.'
Take slow deep breaths: Next time your boss is screaming at you and you feel the rising temperature of your blood, try this fast and super effective technique. Take at least five deep breaths without saying a word to him/her. These deep breaths will immediately bring your boiling blood back to normal and you will feel calmer.
Take another five deep breaths and look at your boss. Your face will appear calm as you look at him and this will start having a calming effect on your boss/colleague too. What a simple, fast and handy technique and the best thing is, it always works!
Take a break: If you are in a heated argument with your boss or a colleague and you feel you are losing your calm, the best thing is to take a break. Tell the colleague/boss: 'I understand what you are saying and I will discuss this but just give me 30 minutes or an hour to come back and discuss this'.
As you take a break from the situation you and the other person in the argument will lose the steam and the heat and when you come back to discuss it later, both of you will be in a more receptive situation to listen to the other person and find a solution, rather than just pouncing on each other.
Skip Negative Words, Rephrase: While in an argument, we often tend to say 'You are wrong' or 'This approach is not good or not beneficial'. Rephrase these statements using positive words. For instance instead of 'You are wrong' say 'What you are saying is one perspective to the situation, can we look at this other perspective. This seems more appropriate in the current scenario.'
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