Can anger in the workplace be a good thing?

In a world obsessed with constant workplace positivity, it’s time to flip the paradigm and explore the power of anger. Often unwelcome and suppressed, could this emotion spark change and boost performance? Psychological safety—including the freedom to express all emotions, including anger—can enhance productivity and well-being. Let’s break it down.

The hidden potential of anger

Researchers at the American Psychological Association conducted a series of experiments to support a counter-current theory about anger. One experiment with a thousand participants compared the test results between a group experiencing various emotions (anger, sadness, desire, amusement, etc.) and a neutral group. “In all the experiments, anger improved people’s ability to achieve their goals compared to being in a neutral state, and in some cases, this was associated with higher scores or shorter response times,” the scientists report.

This finding is familiar to experts in the field. “Emotions are there to guide us,” explains Marine Ponelle, psychotherapist and anger management specialist. “When given the right outlet, anger can be motivational. Anger when it comes to injustice, for example, can encourage people to speak up, write a book, or find a solution.” By considering the many facets of emotions, we understand them better, why they arise, and how they influence human behavior. “A person who expresses the full range of their emotions, including anger, is an asset in the workplace,” Ponelle confirms.

Clinical psychologist Monique de Kermadec encourages the rehabilitation of anger. She believes it’s a crucial alarm signal; it reveals what we won’t tolerate and what deeply offends us. She maintains that anger should always be listened to because it exposes an important part of who we are and can be used to improve and solve problems. “Open conflict allows us to come up with creative solutions,” says Ponelle. This is true for both professional and personal life.

Be angry, but control it

Our emotions are not random responses but specific reactions that allow us to navigate life. If fear triggers a fight or flight response when we’re in danger, anger makes us aware of situations that require a specific action.

However, not all responses to anger are good. Ponelle cautions us about the dangers of uncontrolled anger. When anger goes unchecked, the situation doesn’t improve, and effective communication is lost. “Anger management is polarized,” observes Ponelle, a Gestalt practitioner. Gestalt psychology is a therapeutic approach focused on people and their interactions with their environment. “Of course, some people react impulsively and don’t control their tongues, but most employees tend to avoid confrontation.” This is why we shy away from confrontation, according to the therapist, out of fear that it will lead to conflict.

However, when swept under the rug, anger finds other ways to express itself, which isn’t usually a good thing. “Anger may not be conveyed in the right way or at the right time. Suppressed anger is undesirable too, as it can pop up in other contexts such as in elusive blame unrelated to the current situation,” says Ponelle. It’s the professional equivalent of your partner’s meltdown over a sock lying next to the laundry basket.

Using your anger is a skill that can be learned

In our society, anger expressed by women is often not as well received as when it comes from men. De Kermadec highlights that while anger is valued in men, anger expressed by women is frequently stigmatized and labeled hysterical. Neuropsychologist Sylvie Chokroun wants to challenge the false idea that women are more emotional than men, with men supposedly being more rational. According to Chokroun, when it comes to managing anger, women demonstrate a stronger ability to control their emotions and incorporate a more pronounced thought process, while men tend to react more impulsively.

Whether man or woman, how can anger be positively channeled at work? “Anger has two components: a feeling and its expression,” says Ponelle. “Confrontation raises the question of setting boundaries.” Because of this, many specialists like Ponelle recommend using Nonviolent Communication (NVC). “NVC is a simple tool in theory but very difficult in practice,” Ponelle points out, “because we’re not used to working on our emotions and this type of communication requires both preparation and practice.”

Ponelle gives us the four rules of NVC, allowing anger to become a tool for professional success:

• Talk about observations rather than another person
• Specify the feelings you’re experiencing from your observations
• State a need that is the cause of your feelings
• Make a clear request

“When we’re angry, we fall into what we’re used to, which can be blaming others. However, properly used NVC methods allow us to confront each other, but also to come together,” Ponelle says. Raw anger is not an asset at work. Just as toxic positivity belongs in a fantasy world, outbursts of anger have no place outside of Greek tragedies. Not fearing “negative” emotions doesn’t mean reacting impulsively. It’s controlled, constructive anger that can help move mountains.

For those who want to learn how to use their anger in healthy ways at work, Ponelle offers another piece of advice. “In a difficult situation, don’t react on the spot. Prepare what you want to say and let the other person know you need to express yourself without interruption.” This healthy anger brings professional success and, unlike verbal violence, will reveal itself as a liberating emotion that expands our boundaries and our desire for mutual respect.

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

Follow Welcome to the Jungle on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest articles every week!