An international team of researchers from the United States and Israel explored how expressing anger at work influences perceptions of professional worth and advancement. The goal was to determine whether hostile outbursts can actually improve career prospects or if they backfire. The study appeared in the scientific journal Frontiers in Social Psychology (FSP) as part of a broader discussion on emotion in organizational life.
To test this idea, participants across several organizations were surveyed about their attitudes toward colleagues who display anger and whether such behavior should impact one’s chances for higher status, greater authority, and more respect. The researchers aimed to capture a wide range of workplaces to reveal patterns that might apply across sectors and cultures.
Across the board, the results indicated that most respondents rejected anger as a strategy for gaining status. Anger was viewed as inappropriate and unprofessional by a broad majority, undermining perceptions of competence rather than boosting it. The researchers summarized that anger does not serve as a practical lever for advancement in typical work settings. In fact, the only context in which anger appeared to be occasionally tolerated or even effective was when it was a direct response to what was perceived as misbehavior by another person. This nuance held true for both male and female expressions of anger, suggesting that gender does not shield or amplify these workplace judgments.
The study also found that the gender of the person expressing anger did not alter the way the behavior was perceived. This challenges older assumptions that male anger could more readily translate into higher status in professional environments. Instead, the data pointed to a more uniform standard of evaluation, where angry actions tend to harm perceived professional value regardless of the actor’s gender.
Context within organizational psychology has long examined how emotions travel through teams and influence outcomes. The current findings align with a broader view that controlled, constructive communication tends to earn respect and advancement more reliably than impulsive displays of anger. The results contribute to ongoing conversations about emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and the ways workplaces can cultivate cultures that reward collaboration, composure, and fair treatment of colleagues. Researchers emphasize that while emotions are a natural part of work life, the strategic display of anger is rarely beneficial for long-term career progression. The study adds to a growing body of evidence that urges leaders and employees to develop healthy emotional regulation strategies and robust conflict-management skills, which promote inclusive, productive work environments. (Frontiers in Social Psychology – 2023 recap by the research team.)