Don’t Dwell Too Long

Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.  ~ Marcus Antonius ~

Think about the last time you were really upset.  How did it make you feel?  How much energy did you use? Anger, frustration, and stress are normal emotions.  It's OK to get mad.  It's how you use your anger that will make the difference.  Do you use it as an excuse to be a victim?  Try instead to use is it as a motivator.  Think about why you are angry and what you can do about it - not how you can control the other person but, what you can do about yourself.  Great leaders will take the time to experience emotions and then they use it to learn.  Try not to dwell and you'll be stronger.


I experience my anger and I then move on.

Don't Be a Hypocrite

Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead. ~Mac McCleary~

Are you full of contradictions? Do you get impatient and unforgiving for people who are late, yet you want patience and understanding for when you are late?  Leaders need to be role models and must demonstrate the behaviors they want to see.  Think about how you feel when you see a direct report yell at another co-worker or their own direct report.  You would tell them that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.  Yet, how many of you have lost your temper at your direct reports AND in front of others?  Your followers watch you for the correct behavior.   You loose credibility when you say one thing and then do another.  Practice kindness and forgiveness when you expect others to do the same.  Otherwise, you just seem like a hypocrite.  Last time I checked, hypocrisy was not listed a desired trait of a leader.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will be sincere in my actions and demonstrate the behaviors I want to see in others.

Stay Calm in Fury

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it. ~René Descartes~

There are times when people will say the wrong thing.  They may or may not mean what they say.  People are poor communicators and they will make assumptions about things.  They think they know what you are thinking and will decide what you are doing without asking questions to get clarity.  Leaders will stay calm when when there is fury around them.  As a leader, don't get pulled into the drama.  Let others get worked up. You can't think clearly when you are crazed with anger. You should stay calm and focused on the goal.  As a matter of fact, the more others get out of control, you should get in more control.  As others shout, you should whisper.  When others try to get down and dirty, you should fly so that you can see the whole picture with a clear head.  When you have a clear head you are a better leader.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I will stay focused and out of the drama that can derail me and my journey."

Release Anger for Success

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger. ~Buddha

When was the last time you were, as we Texans say, spittin' mad?  Last week, yesterday, or five minutes ago?  How do you feel?  Do you feel refreshed and energized? Or are you drained and unable to think of anything else?  If it was last week, are you still thinking about it?  It's OK to be angry.  It is what you do with that anger that will keep you from success.  Strong admirable leaders do not live in an anger state.  You cannot think about positive thoughts if your brain is full of painful resentment.  You can't think two things at the same time.  It's time to stop thinking about that which makes you angry and instead focus on that which makes you strive. 

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I will release any anger I have, so that I can

lead with positive strength."