150
Assemble an Emotional First-Aid Kit

When you work with difficult people, going to work can seem like the equivalent of going to war. So make sure you always pack an emotional first-aid kit. That kit would offer a ready array of strategies for picking your way through an office battlefield.

Though you may have considered a number of items separately, now is the time to pull them all together like a grand buffet. During really tense times, imagine yourself loading the kit into your brief case or bag as you prepare to leave for work.

Your kit’s basics should include information on the following: Office safe havens where you can go to reflect after an intense encounter, allies to turn to for advice and support, and strategies to help you remain calm in the heat of battle. You should make an effort to consciously tap into that kit during the day as a reminder of all the resources at your fingertips. With an emotional toolbox you’ll have more success picking the right tool for battle.