May 2011 - Pat Driediger, CA

All Fired UpAnger is the second emotion

Agenda

• Case Scenario• Definition of anger• Expressions of anger• Anger Cycle• Purpose of anger• Benefits of anger• Using anger constructively• Responding to anger in others• Q & A

Pat (mediator)

Les (former -employee)Rick (Sr. Mgr. Acme Tech. Ltd)

Erin (Jr. Mgr. Acme Tech Ltd Not present)

Fictitious Case Scenario

Definition of Anger

• An agitated and often hostile state of arousal, varying in intensity, that is emotional, physiological, and cognitive in nature, originating from a perceived threat or sense of wrongdoing.

Expressions of anger

• Direct: annoyed, irritated, fed up, exasperated

• Indirect: disappointed, guilty, depressed, hopeless

• Repressed: sarcasm, passive aggressive behaviour, “forgetting”, physical symptoms or accidents

Anger Cycle

Event-Trigger Esca

lation Phase

Crisis Phase

Recovery PhasePost Crisis Phase

Judgement/Intelligence Creativity

What is the purpose of anger?

• Anger acts as a secondary emotion, emerging in response to the stress of another emotional state that is experienced as more uncomfortable than anger.

(Susskind,Field, 1996)

Painful emotions

• Loss • Grief• Shame• Hurt• Anxiety• Unworthiness • Unmet needs or desires

Using Anger Constructively

• A strong signal that gets our attention.• Motivation to act, make changes and confront

anxiety producing situations that we might otherwise avoid.

• Energy to continue pursuing problems and provocations until they are resolved.

Benefits of Anger

• The body recovers faster from the stress hormones released from anger than it does to those released from fear.

• Anger increases feelings of certainty and control. Fear enhances feeling of uncertainty and loss of control.

So, does anyone else feel their needs aren’t being met?

Responding to anger in others

• Respond with empathy and acknowledgment.• Don’t try to “reason” a person into calming

down.• Allow the other person the right to their own

feelings of anger.• Put a ? between you and the angry person.

Stay curious.

www.joyofconflict.com2010

Staying curious

Refuse the Bait

Summary

• Expressions of anger• Anger arousal cycle• Purpose of anger (anger is the 2nd emotion)• Benefits of anger• Using anger constructively• Responding to anger in others

Thank you!