It’s tough to be rational when you’re upset or angry. If you’re having a conflict with a colleague and feel worked up, you’re unlikely to make good decisions about what to say or do. Rather than jumping into the discussion right away, buy yourself some time. Explain to your colleague that you need to think through the issue before coming back to it. (Don’t tell the other person that they need to calm down — that’s likely to upset them further.) If things are really heated, you can simply walk away. Leave the room, go to the bathroom, or take a walk outside to give yourself a chance to cool down. When you feel ready to make a thoughtful choice about how to proceed, you can return to the discussion.
Adapted from the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo
