The majority of full-time employees work 2,397 hours per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When you constantly have to defend and explain your actions, it can cause your workplace to become a stressful environment.
The following tips not only help make your workplace more enjoyable, but make you a better leader as well.
Keep cool and stay calm
We’re all familiar with the “take a deep breath and count to 10” rule, but how often do we practice it? Reacting immediately and emotionally to someone that has provoked you only causes a situation to escalate, so put this rule to use. By the time you have reached 10, you should regain your composure and be able to better respond.
If you are still angry, try to remove yourself from the situation. Saying “Let me get back to about that” or “I need to think that over” can buy you some time and help you be more objective about the situation.
Use this same technique when responding to an email or text that upsets you or makes you angry. If you can, wait an hour — or even more — before sending an angry email or text that you may regret later.
Learn to focus and be a better listener
Most of us think we are good listeners when we really aren’t. Good listeners don’t use their cellphones or type on their laptop while someone else is talking to them.
If you want to be a better listener, minimize distractions and focus on what the other person is saying — as well as how they are saying it.
Pay attention to body language. Don’t let your mind wander or use the time to think about what you’ll say next. Don’t interrupt or give feedback until you are sure that the other person is finished with their thoughts.
This can take practice, but being a good listener shows that you are a better overall communicator.
Nurture current relationships, work to mend friction with co-workers
A lot of issues come down to personality conflicts — perhaps you and a colleague have different communication styles or one of you is more extroverted.
Depersonalize the situation and take time to remind yourself that everyone has personal reasons that cause him or her to behave in a certain way. Let your colleague know that you hope to be able to work together. Mending this friction isn’t always easy, but it will make your life a lot easier.
Your life doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Achieving success requires building healthy relationships with those around you. Utilizing the above skills will not only lessen a stressful conflict, but also give you improved communication skills that lead to better working relationships.
Michele Cuthbert is the CEO and creator of Baker Creative, a global WBE-certified creative brand management firm based in Ohio.
