Managing Aggressive Behavior: Strategies for Calm & Control

In certain situations, such as disagreements or misunderstandings, a person might become aggressive with his communication. Knowing how to deal with aggressive behavior is necessary to take control of the situation and reduce the risk of violence.

Communication

• Communication is very important when dealing with aggressive behavior. A common method is "talking someone down," which involves simply remaining calm, using the name of the aggressive person and speaking clearly and concisely.

Personal Space

• Oftentimes the feeling of being cornered or the invasion of personal space will cause aggressive behavior. In these situations, allowing the person who is acting aggressively a bit of space -- whether physically or verbally -- is effective in controlling the situation.

Be Assertive

• Being assertive is different from being aggressive. When a person is assertive, the communication is direct but also respectful. Communication in an assertive manner demonstrates that a person demands respect but is willing to work together for a solution.