Kumar Birla talks about the impact of anger in healthy leadership (Source: Insatgram/@)Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, with a net worth exceeding $20 billion, reflected on his leadership journey, revealing that he has lost his temper only 18 times over the past 29 years. The billionaire and industrialist spoke about his blind spot on a podcast with Zerodha founder Nikhil Kamath: “I have lost my cool 18 times in 30-29 years, and I remember this number specifically because to me, it’s a black mark if you are losing your cool, especially at work.”Birla further explained his mindset, stating that, “You are blessed to have so many colleagues who put in so much of their emotional and intellectual equity and time. Then for me to lose my cool is not a very good commentary on me as a leader.”Is getting angry detrimental to leadership?Kapil Agarwal, Founder and CEO of ‘i ’, shared that in any workplace, especially under pressure, emotional control becomes non-negotiable. “Anger, when it comes from the top, can shift focus away from the actual issue and create more pressure than clarity. In a leadership position, how you respond carries weight,” he said.According to him, it is natural to feel anger at times, but your reaction is what ultimately shapes how others perceive the moment and you. “When things feel heated, taking a breath, pausing before responding, or stepping back to view the broader picture can make all the difference,” said Agarwal. It’s not about ignoring how you feel; it’s about deciding how to carry it. That kind of calm helps people stay focused and move forward together. (Source: Freepik)From a psychological perspective, Deepti Chandy, Therapist and COO, Anna Chandy & Associates, told indianexpress.com that anger is a natural emotion, and feeling it doesn’t make someone a bad leader. But how we respond to that anger, especially in high-pressure situations, is what sets emotionally intelligent leadership apart.“If anger spills over repeatedly onto team members, it can erode trust, create fear, and impact performance. People may begin to walk on eggshells, which is a sign that your leadership style may need reflection,” she explained.How can you regulate your emotions?Chandy shared that a straightforward technique to regulate yourself before reacting is to name the emotion you’re feeling – anger, frustration, or something else, and rate its intensity on a scale of 1 to 10. For instance, “I’m angry – 7 on 10.” Then ask yourself: Is there anything I can do about this? If yes, what can I do? If not, is it worth holding onto the emotion? This small check-in can help shift you from reaction to reflection.Story continues below this ad“It also helps to consciously pause before responding. In moments of agitation, stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline flood the body, hence the phrase “my blood is boiling.” Even a short pause to drink water, taking a few breaths, walking for a minute, can help those hormones settle, making space for a more thoughtful response,” she shared.ALSO READ | How to unwind and beat stress at workplaceLeaders face stress almost daily, making it essential to develop habits that support emotional resilience. She suggested starting with the basics – adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and regular time for reflection. “You don’t have to shoulder everything alone; look for opportunities to delegate and collaborate. The key isn’t to avoid anger, but to express it properly,” said the psychologist. Ultimately, strong leadership is defined not by the absence of emotion, but by how thoughtfully it’s managed.📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:angerleadership