Emotions are part of the human condition, as a result, we deal with them in every interaction, every day. From work to home to social events life, family, social events our emotions range depending on many factors.
In the workplace, when expectations are high and resources are low, emotional outbursts can seem like the norm rather than the exception.
If you are in a position of leadership, you have the added pressure to set the tone for others to follow. Not always an easy thing to do while managing a team at the same time.
Aiming for an “emotion free” business environment is completely unrealistic. Too many unforeseen events make it impossible to work in an emotionally controlled environment.
Here’s a bag of goods to help you navigate the sometimes messy world of alpha personalities, divas and leaders in the making, to come out victorious.
Acting Like Nothing Gets to You: Prepare to Fail
No one likes to work with Mr. or Mrs. Perfect. If you’re honest about your struggle, your team will kick in an extra layer of loyalty and trust because they can relate to you. And might be more mindful about creating chaos themselves. It’s good to be honest. Try it, you won’t be sorry.
Don’t Wait for Armageddon
As a leader, go deeper and look for what is triggering an employee’s emotional behavior in the first place. This positions you to deal with issues at their root level and provides insight into the “danger zones” to avoid as well.
You will be in a much better position to prevent an outburst by avoiding the boiling point. Don’t pretend chaos isn’t happening, help whomever is having a melt down gain their sanity back.
The key is to deal with workplace emotions swiftly, but without making the other person feel attacked or threatened. Be clear about what is being criticized and focus on the outcome not the process of resolving the issue.
The Link Between Gender and Crying
Women are six times more likely than men to cry at work. Tears are the workplace equivalent of a “check engine” sign. It could mean we are overworked, we are sick, we feel angry, or we are frustrated. Rather than seeing tears as a sign of weakness, they signify that there is an underlying need that should be addressed. Get to work and address it.
Managing Your Own Emotions at Work
Last but not least, if you are a leader feeling overwhelmed take a well-deserved breather. Keep it short, no need to explain, simply say ‘You know what, I need a break, I’ll be back in 30 minutes.' And just like that, take a break.
When it comes to emotions in the workplace, leaders have a complex challenge where the ripple effect of any emotional situation can run deep.
This area is seen as an area where great leaders can really set themselves apart by approaching emotions as something healthy for the business. It is believed that these profound social changes, in tandem with the new scientific insights into the ways each gender operates, will transform the future of interpersonal dynamics on the job.
