Here’s an interesting story from the book Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins where he recounts a meeting he attended.

At the meeting.

He found himself in a meeting with one of his CEOs and a mutual associate. During the meeting, they learned that someone their company was negotiating with was playing dirty. The CEO was absolutely furious, but their associate kept his cool. Meanwhile, each of them had the same stake in the deal.

Anger: a strength?

Beet-red with rage, the CEO kept fuming. the CEO kept fuming. Robbins asked the CEO what being “enraged” meant to him and why he allowed that intensity to build.

Without missing a beat, the CEO said:

“If you’re in a rage, you get stronger, and when you’re strong, you can make things happen—you can turn anything around!” He saw anger as a source of power that helped him overcome pain and stay in control.

Keeping calm.

Robbins then turned to the partner and asked why he was so calm. The partner replied:
“No, it’s not worth being upset over. If you get upset, then you lose control. Then the other guy wins.”

Be aware of the power words carry. “Simply by changing your habitual vocabulary—the words you consistently use to describe the emotions of your life—you can instantaneously change how you think, how you feel, and how you live.”
— Anthony Robbins

My thoughts.

When dealing with a stressful or emotionally charged situation at work, it’s often best to step back and take a breath before reacting. This creates distance between yourself and the event, allowing you to think objectively without being emotionally overwhelmed.

Step onto the balcony.

Imagine yourself as an observer. A friend of mine often says, “Step onto the balcony, Annie, so you can see the whole picture.”

A shift in perspective can help you detach from the heat of the moment and respond with clarity and reason.

This ability to take a step back is essential in today’s demanding, high-pressure work environments.

And you, what do you think?