Have you ever felt treated unfairly in a toxic workplace, while clearly being underpaid and feeling overworked?
Have you ever had the urge to fire off that burning email in a fit of rage, and give them a piece of your mind?
Ever wanted to hit that ‘post’ button and let it all out on Facebook and Instagram?
Don’t! This is an act of professional suicide.
We’ve all been there – on both the giving and receiving end of a hostile email and flurry of angry Tweetstorms. Plus, the effects of COVID have turned this world into a stressful place which means we need some new coping skills.
We have a few tips that might help face the bosses, situations, and stress that we all face.
First, stop doing these 2 things:
1. Venting work-related anger on social media
Just because you’re livid with your boss, doesn’t make it OK to take the rage out online. We get it, you’re angry, but a public rant will never help and can do even more damage.
Next time you feel the urge to go on a social media spray, take a deep breath, step back and exercise your Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
Psychology Today refers to Emotional Intelligence as the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. EQ is generally said to include a few skills: namely emotional awareness, or the ability to identify and name one’s own emotions; the ability to harness those emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.
Researchers have shown that people who demonstrate EQ are more likely to benefit from improved mental health and relationships, often leading to greater job satisfaction and performance.
2. Sending passive-aggressive emails
Your colleagues are being unpleasant and making it hard to do your job? Never send them a rude email and copy the entire company, either! But the anger has got to go somewhere, right? Well, try these 3 options before you hit send on that bitey email!
Option 1: Draft the email (with no recipient, obviously) but don’t send it
Why this works:
- Satisfy your need to release the fumes (yes, venting is 100% healthy)
- Typing out the email content is very therapeutic and helps your sanity
- Don’t put any names in the ‘To’ field to avoid disaster
- Sleep on it, don’t send it
Option 2: Text it to your best friend (from your personal phone)
Why this works:
- Creates ’email timeout’ to force yourself to self-reflect on your tone and words used
- Get an objective, non-judgement view from that trusted advisor
- Might get a better outcome or suggestions from that trusted someone
Option 3: Quit emailing or posting on social media tackle the issue head-on
Why this works:
- Stops you from hiding behind emails and social media
- Helps you find other better ways to communicate
- Finds empowerment in solving problems face-to-face
- Allow you to smooth things over with better resolution
Future-proof your career and build your brand right
Your entire career depends on one thing – your personal brand.
Your brand is how you get discovered – what people find when they Google your name, and things (or rants) you post on social media.
Start providing valuable content, practice EQ and build your brand the smart way today. Get your future employers and clients to see you for the professional that you are.
Need more career advice? Speak to us today!