enjoy admitting they are wrong. Such an admission is challenging both to
the emotions and intellect. A hallmark of emotionally intelligent individu-
als, however, is their ability to admit the slightest degrees of culpability in a
problem as a means of starting a daisy chain of admission. I have witnessed
this phenomenon again and again.
Typically, when there is a problem, people become defensive and men-
tally rehearse their rebuttals, which inevitably lead to arguments, disagree-
ments, and anger. This chain of hostility is easily broken when an emotionally
intelligent leader says, “Well, I know I have some responsibility here in that I
How to Prevent and Contain Negative Outbursts 81FIGURE 9.1Chill Chart
- When I am at my angriest, I cool down by...
Taking a long walk
Exercising (type of exercise__)
Writing down my thoughts and feelings
Talking to a friend
_ Engaging in a hobby (type of hobby___)
Listening to music
Other (__) - When my anger is peaking, it typically takes me ____
(minutes/hours/days/weeks/other) to cool off (anger/danger ratio). - The first physical signs that alert me to an adrenal overflow are:
- The individuals whose actions provoke this adrenal rush in my system are:
- Thought(s) I can focus on to keep my system calm when encountering these individuals
is (are) (write thought(s) that help you to better understand their behavior):