When somebody loses their temper with us, our natural defensive tendency is to match their intensity and become offensive also, which usually serves to only pour gasoline onto the fire. Although counter-intuitive, a calm, measured response to anger can help de-escalate tensions and prevent a bad situation from getting even worse.
Effective tactics for defusing anger
Compose yourself first
- Remember that a calm presence is tremendously powerful.
- Breathe and take time to think so you don’t go into a reactive mode.
- Speak a bit more slowly, calmly and lower in timbre.
Avoid an audience
An audience can fuel additional emotional explosion. Moving the conversation to a private (but safe) setting can also spare an angry person the added embarrassment of further losing their temper in public.
Acknowledge the incident and its impact on the person
- Using language like, “I certainly understand being angry in this situation,” communicates you are taking the person’s concern seriously and respectfully.
- Engaging in denial, minimization, projecting blame elsewhere or sweeping issues under the rug only serve to incite further rage.
Actively listen
- People want to be heard and understood.
- Reflect back what you hear.
- Time is your friend, so give the person time for his/her body chemistry to self-regulate.
Don’t take the anger personally
Although difficult, remain non-defensive. Rather than view outbursts as a personal attack, reframe the aggressiveness being directed at you as a signal that the person needs a target for his/her anger and must view you as being strong enough to take it.
Ask questions for clarification without becoming interrogative
- Avoid an argumentative tone so the angry person does not feel attacked back.
- Don’t view the argument as a competition, since winning the battle likely means losing the war.
Identify and align with the healthy part of the message
For example, if someone is irate and projecting blame following an accident, language such as “I admire the fact you really care about the safety of those around you,” can help you align and reduce defensiveness.
Seek to problem-solve together
Try to identify one reasonable next step; even if that next step is only setting aside time with the angry person for a problem-solving meeting about their concerns.
When indicated, accept responsibility for a mistake
Taking a one-down position from a stance of strength can be very disarming.
Remember: Calm is just as contagious as anger.Â
