Manage Anger and Channel it Constructively

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published May 04, 2010

By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search

Seen objectively, anger is an instinctive reaction to something that threatens us or shakes our sense of security. Anger can be constructive when used to fight against injustice, and it can be destructive when somebody takes out his or her frustration on family members. People are said to be angry when they lose control of their emotions to the extent of threatening the security and safety of others. This is actually negative anger popularized by literature and associated with violence. It leads to stress and unhealthy relationships in every pocket of human society. On the other hand, anger is the actual force that leads people to file class actions and fight to root out social injustice. It is managed anger, which is positive and an enormous motivating force.

What is Anger?

Anger is a mental and physical reaction to perceived loss of safety and security. It is coupled with adrenaline rush and the propensity to attack the perceived threat either physically or verbally. Essentially anger is rooted in our instinct for survival. This is why it is such a strong emotional force. Visible anger is usually temporary and lasts only as long as the adrenaline-rush in our bodies. The consequences of anger, however, are not temporary.

Positive and Negative Anger

Positive anger can help us solve situations where there is no time for considered action. Anger led action, if positive, can help us protect ourselves and safeguard our safety concerns. Positive consequences of anger led action can improve self-confidence and raise self-esteem.

Negative anger leads us to act against mistakenly perceived threats, or act against persons or things that are not the actual cause of the perceived threats. Negative reactions from anger lead to loss of respect and hurt relationships.

In almost all cases of negative anger, another socio-psychological syndrome - ''external blame attribution,'' is the actual culprit. Believe it or not, if you can consciously root out ''external blame attribution'' from your system and thought process, 90% cases of negative anger outbursts will go away.

What Triggers Your Anger?

To manage anger and bring it under proper perspective you need to find out what makes you angry. Stimuli that precipitate anger vary from person to person. What can be perceived as funny by your friend can be cause for you to be angry. What can seem to you as a matter to be ignored can be a cause for making your co-worker or boss angry. Anger is related to value systems. There are causes of personal anger, which go against personal value systems and expectations, and there are causes of social anger, which go against social values and expectations. What makes you personally angry is of more concern to you to control your anger and use it positively. The most common causes of anger at a personal level include:

Somebody or something threatening your physical or mental safety
Somebody or something threatening those who are near and dear to you
Somebody or something threatening your values and ideals
Somebody or something threatening your survival or success

You need to list down things that make you most often angry. Then you need to carefully analyze whether your perceptions about the cause of the threat and the magnitude of the threat are accurate or misplaced. Correct expressions of anger against the proper sources of threat can be helpful if kept within appropriate magnitude. Inappropriate expressions of anger against misplaced or misperceived sources of threats will always work against you. Wrong anger destroys both your mind and body. Frequently suppressed anger also exhausts your body and spirit. This is why it is necessary to correctly read the causes of anger and address them in the right manner. If you can manage your anger, you can win over yourself and in the process win the world.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

Immigration law
Workers’ compensation
Insurance defense
Family law
Trusts & estates
Municipal law
And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

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