Why People Get Fired

A poll conducted by USA Today ranked the top 3 reasons people get fired. Fully 70% of all employees terminated were let go for 'failure to get along with other people'. This was followed by a lack of productivity/performance and policy violations. 3 ways to make sure you're not one of the 70% below...

What kind of attitude do you have? I don't mean just when you're on the job either. I've found that anyone can fake it on the job until something unexpected happens and then they "blow up." I witnessed an employee once that was the nicest guy you'd ever meet. There wasn't anyone more respectful in the office. There were two scenarios that he absolutely blew up and lost total control of his temper embarrassing himself and those around him in the process. While this should have resulted in immediate termination, and would have in most organizations, the senior management of that organization chose to rescind all disciplinary action (illustrating the monumental lack of leadership in America today).

Slipping up even one time is unacceptable for a winner. What circumstances do you tend to lose self control through anger? Here's 3 things I want you to do the next time you feel you blood boiling to keep from being one of the 70% fired for failure to get along with other people:

1. Stop. The worst thing you could do in this moment is keep talking. You've got to let some time go by before you speak or what you say could be misinterpreted. Remember, it's often not what you say, but how you say it. In moments like this, you most assuredly will not say it appropriately. Removing/distancing yourself from the immediate situation, while beneficial, is not always possible or appropriate in a corporate setting. You must learn to control it.

2. Think. If the entire scenario were being recorded for the evening news, would you be proud? How would what you're about to say look on the front page of the Wall Street Journal? Would you like your response to the difficult crisis played for potential employers during the interview process? If not, adjust your strategy and change your response.

3. Speak Slowly. The reality is that you still will be speaking fast though you are consciously trying to slow it down. Make your communication void of emotion. Inevitably, your words will still be full of emotion to the bystander. Articulate your case clearly with facts void of emotion and you will exhibit more self control over your temper.