The angry physician--Part 2. Managing yourself while managing others

One of the most difficult aspects of physician leadership is addressing angry colleagues. The first article in this series called attention to the problems that come with the Type A coping styles of many physicians and outlined strategies for managing oneself. Part 2 provides specific strategies that can be helpful in managing others' anger-generating behaviors and anger reactions. There are eight practical communication guidelines recommended by experts in the field for managing anger in others. They include: Strike while the "iron is warm." Match, then lead. Stay in your own zone. De-escalate the other's angry reactions. Do something different. Be assertive, not aggressive. Use effective negotiation tactics. Operationalize the problem.