How to manage your pet peeve

What's your work pet peeve? Perhaps you're irked by people showing up late to meetings or you can't stand your colleagues' liberal use of "Reply All." Though these things bother you, it may be impossible to get rid of them. Instead, learn to manage your pet peeve:

1. Anticipate. Sometimes you'll be able to foresee events that will trigger your pet peeve. Think through how you will handle these situations so that you are not caught off guard.

2. Laugh. If you can get some distance from your pet peeve, you're more likely to see the humor in it. When you get annoyed, try to observe how silly your anger may seem.

3. Reward. On those occasions when you manage to not get annoyed by your pet peeve, reward yourself for good behavior.

William Montgomery is a regular contributor to television and radio on all aspects of leadership excellence. To find how he can help you and your business, please call his office on +44 333 666 1010.