Even if you have a private discussion with an angry employee, staff will know about it. Most people react to anger directed at them with a fight or flight reaction. Only in rare occasions will these gut reactions result in dealing with anger effectively. When an employee expresses anger, deal with it as soon as possible. By showing a desire to make time to discuss the situation, you are showing that you are concerned, and value the employee and his or her perceptions and feelings.
Many performance problems reach crisis proportions as a result of delay in dealing with anger.
Certain situations require privacy for discussion since some people will be unwilling to air their feelings at a public staff meeting. However, if anger is expressed in a staff meeting, you can develop a positive climate in the organization by dealing effectively with it in public. One technique is to ask the angry employee whether they would like to discuss it now, or prefer to talk about it privately. Let them call the shot. Always allow the employee to talk.