The Passion in Anger

Sometimes I get angry at the silliest things. I once got angry at a boss who said I had an anger problem. I traveled the road from denial to defensiveness to objection. It's easy to get lost on that road.

People get angry for a lot of reasons, and I've managed to feel most of them. It doesn't make me an angry person (I hope) but it does mean I'm a person who gets angry. Who doesn't?

Some people handle their anger better than others. That's admirable. Good for them. It can be done with therapy, will power, training, prayer, meditation or medication. We do have to handle our anger. Getting angry is acceptable, but acting negatively based on that anger is not.

High performance leaders see anger as unfulfilled passion and find ways to convert it to productive use.

Whether it's our own anger or someone else's, there is so much energy there! Why not channel it? Why not direct it? Why not use it for meaningful, noble, productive change?

I had another boss who said "I'm not afraid of your anger -- passion is wonderful -- just direct it respectfully and productively."

Exactly.

The next time something makes you (or someone you know) angry, take a moment to explore where that passion really wants to go. It might be worth the journey, without the side effects.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

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