One of my motto's at the company I work for is: "Assume positive intent."
This is because more than half of the company works remotely and all over the world and our primary communication methods are email and instant messaging.
It's amazing how even discussing something work related where emotions shouldn't even be involved, that our personal experiences and perspectives affect HOW we read a message.
This is a good example of Never Wiki When Angry. When I read something at work or here, and I feel emotional about it, I walk away, an hour, a day, a week, whatever I need to get perspective.
I've even taken up a suggestion from a co-worker from a previous job that when I feel angry (especially on Facebook!) after walking away and coming back. I type up the response that is going through my head into a text document and save it. Then walk away again.
Sometimes it's cathartic enough just to type it out and not actually respond. Then, as other responses come in, it may completely alter your perspective on the situation and you'll be glad you waited. :)
I'm not perfect, far from it, and there are times that when I have done all this, and I feel confident that my response is non-emotional, straight-forward and addressing an issue, that someone will get upset. It happens!!
We all have our button, trigger-points and lines of behavior. But often, this process helps me calm down. I hope it helps someone else.
