„Never act in haste out of anger – you have enough time.“ — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Anger is often viewed as a negative emotion. In professional settings, it is frowned upon, much like many other emotions. From my experience, joy is perhaps the only fundamental emotion that is somewhat acceptable in the workplace, although it is often expressed cautiously. According to Paul Ekman, the basic emotions include joy, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, anger, and contempt. https://www.neverest.at/blog/7-grundemotionen-paul-ekman/
However, anger is anything but unnecessary. It is a crucial emotion that support us in following:
-
Indication of Injustice: Anger reveals that the person feels wronged and highlights injustices that need to be addressed.
-
Motivation for Change: Anger encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, set new boundaries, and advocate for ourselves actively.
-
Self-Protection: Anger helps us recognize underlying feelings and protects us from falling into a cycle of sadness or self-pity.
-
Enhanced Self-Reflection: Anger highlights where we have been hurt and prompts us to reflect on past experiences.
-
Catalyst for Communication: Anger drives us to discuss issues that have caused us pain. It often serves as a prompt to resolve conflicts or uncover misunderstandings.
-
Source of Energy: Unlike sadness, anger provides us with energy and strength, enabling us to tackle and overcome new challenges.
-
Emotional Processing: Anger aids in processing emotions, including fear and sadness, contributing to healing our wounds. https://www.geo.de/magazine/geo-kompakt/15270-rtkl-psychologie-heilsamer-zorn-ueber-die-wut-und-ihre-positiven
Like all emotions, anger holds significant and positive meaning. The key is to recognize anger and use it constructively. This emotion can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and even bring about a positive change in society.
Suppressing or denying anger is detrimental, as the aggressive energy it generates must go somewhere. If it is not expressed outwardly, it turns inward, potentially leading to depression or other psychosomatic disorders, according to scientists.
On the other hand, blind anger can be destructive. Emerson is not against anger; rather, he views it as a driving force that must be released gradually. It’s akin to a pressure cooker: when the contents (anger) boil, the pressure must be released slowly. If I were to open the lid suddenly, the contents would splatter against the walls and ceiling.
Treat anger like the process of opening a pressure cooker.
