Long hours, hectic work schedules, stressful appointments….all of these and other factors can lead to negative emotions that make it difficult to handle conflict with grace at work.  Try to identify the types of situations that irk you, and either avoid them altogether or devise a plan for handling them that will prevent you losing your cool when they arise.

When you find yourself in a volatile situation where you feel you are about to unload on someone, simply walk away and clear your head.  Return to the situation only when you are calm and can focus on resolving the conflict.  It’s much better to risk the embarrassment of letting others see that you are upset enough to need to excuse yourself, than to stay and potentially say something you’ll regret later.

If you do happen to show your temper at the office, be ready to say “I’m sorry.”  Apologize as soon as possible to everyone involved; it will reflect well on your character and show that you are a true professional.

If you can control your temper at work, you’ll feel better about yourself, anyone who witnesses your self-control will be inspired, and the target of your anger will likely be grateful.