The world would be a much easier place to live in if it were filled only with calm and rational people, but we all know that is not the case. At work or at home, we often find ourselves in situations where we are trying to talk to someone whose emotions have completely taken over. These three tips have been proven to work.
Please speak slower, I would like to help
It is not that someone is speaking too quickly; the problem simply lies in situations where an angry person is uncontrollably – shouting. However, this phrase can work wonders because it interrupts the pattern that one falls into. The person expects you to confront them, but that does not happen. You simply ask them to clarify what they want to say. You show interest, and that helps them break the destructive way of thinking.
What do you want me to do?
This sentence has a similar effect to the previous one. It takes the upset person out of the thinking of the primitive, emotional part of the brain that is arguing or fleeing and forces them to start using their more advanced skills.
Ask any question
If you want to get the conversation back on track, it will not help if you call the emotionally reacting person crazy or try to explain your view of the situation. Explaining is often a form of retaliation in an argument, and thus the conversation will only escalate further and become more aggressive.
