Saturday, August 26, 2023 When Someone’s in Your Face It’s tempting to give it back to others when insulted or disrespected. If they escalate, then I escalate. But responding in kind is not helpful—and can be dangerous Blogs Newsletters Manitoba Local 152 By Nathan Koslowsky, Representative There’s a better way to deal with situations when you’re confronted. Be kind rather than respond in kind—no matter what. Hold the high ground. Keep your wits. Resist making the greatest speech you’ll ever regret. Remember, there’s a distinction between being assertive, passive, and aggressive. It’s possible to be clear without also being insulting, demeaning, or offensive. Escalating feels great in the moment. There is this sense of power that can accompany a blow-up. Look at a volcano. It’s really powerful during an eruption, but the results are devastating for all those around it. And the volcano itself is forever altered and defaced. Self-injury surrounds eruptions and impacts our relationships. They’re accompanied by feelings of guilt, fear, and shame. What happens inside of you psychologically and chemically is not good. 4 Ways to Respond When Someone Comes at You Inappropriately Don’t fly off the handle. It will feel great in the moment. You show them that you aren’t going to take that from them by giving it right back. If they yell and swear, you yell and swear. But like the volcano, it will leave you changed and can cause enormous damage to yourself, your career, and others. Become reflective and curious. “Wow, I am getting the impression that you are really upset right now! Is that true?” Remain calm. You don’t need to match their energy. Walk away. Give yourself some time to cool off. Tell them, “Let’s hit pause on this conversation and then revisit it in 10 minutes or so.” If you find you are flying off the handle at every confrontation, it may signal something else. Like a warning light on the dashboard of your vehicle, some maintenance may be called for. Consult your EFAP provider or talk to a counsellor to see what’s really going on under the hood. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026