Face it, we all get frustrated with people and businesses and just want to let it all out. Sometimes we have a bad day, someone crosses us and we want to go off. But there’s a way to do this with compassion. Granted, it’s going to take restraint on your part. You’re going to need to keep your anger and frustrations in check. But if you do it right, you have a better chance of making a difference. Do it wrong, well, the other person’s just going to throw up the iron curtain and get defensive.
So what do you do?
- Breathe. Pause. Think. Don’t spout your first thoughts in anger.
- Think about the context – did they make you angry, or did you just get up on the wrong side of the bed? Don’t attack the person with the intent to tear them down.
- Be specific. Speak to the frustration. People can’t do anything with generalities.
- Try on their shoes. Suggest solutions to the frustration so that it they can actually work on it. What would you want to be told if you were the recipient?
- Smile authentically. It goes a long way to making criticism a positive. A smile with a sharp barb does the opposite.
Remember, words are weapons. Choose them wisely. Once out, they’re not likely to be forgotten. Think about what you want your future relationship and interactions to be. It’s not always easy to keep emotions in check, but it goes a long way to communicating constructively.
