Beverly Berner, president of the Resource Development Group, coaches women in this area, and she says it is important to take the emotion out of the situation and deal with the facts. “When you see somebody being really emotional and stamping their feet, they’re letting the kid take over. Or if you see someone trying to scold and sort of shame you, then they’re trying to act like a parent. You need to act like an adult, and deal with the facts. It makes it a whole lot easier to make things happen,” she said.

Emotions can well up quickly, and before you know it, you explode. Whatever you do or say in an emotional outrage can’t be good. Your emotions impair your judgment, and you will always be the loser. Once the words are out, you can’t take them back. Stop and think before you lash out. Hold your breath and count to ten if that is what it takes.

“When I write a memo I think has the potential to be inflammatory, I create it and save it for at least two hours. Then, I read back through it and make sure I’ve gotten the emotion out of it,” explained Catharine Garda Newton.

“When I am angry I must be very careful because I am capable of using very cutting comments or remarks. I’ve learned to control this type of behavior by writing my thoughts down and working through the problem that caused my anger. This method prepares me to appropriately handle the situation and the person,” said Karen Harriman. “I’ve taken a hundred deep breaths and sometimes it just doesn’t help. At that point, I must make a decision to walk away from it, or if I am in a meeting, to reschedule to another time or day. This approach let’s me reclaim my sanity and my leadership,” she continued.

Tempers have no place in the business world, nor do tears. But what woman hasn’t at some point in her career burst into tears at the office? Tears come naturally to many of us, but you don’t want to be labeled a crybaby. When you feel the waterworks creeping up on you, get out of there. Excuse yourself and go to the ladies’ room until you have gathered your composure. You don’t have to be embarrassed. It is a natural reaction, but men hate it. Candidly, most women feel uncomfortable when you tear up, too.