How are you feeling?
Oscar Wilde once said, “I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.” This desire is one that we can all relate to in some way or another, but it’s truly easier said than done. Add this difficult endeavor to a professional working environment and it can become overwhelming.
Many of us have been trained to believe that feelings have no place in a professional setting. We’ve been taught that our feelings don’t matter, and that emotions should be dealt with after the work is done, and off company property.
This misguided mindset dominated many an American workplace for many decades, but things are changing. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has highlighted a very important truth—humans are emotional beings, and emotions can’t always be turned on and off at will.
It’s been said that emotions are slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions. So, if we can change our thoughts, our emotions will eventually follow. Rational thought and irrational emotions live on different islands, but our thoughts can build a bridge that we can use to manage both to our advantage.
First off, we must learn to allow ourselves to feel emotion rather than trying to bury anything that doesn’t feel convenient at the moment. Take time to understand what you are feeling.
Next, take a look around and consider how others around you are feeling. Understand that any interaction will be affected by the emotions each person is feeling.
Finally, separate emotion from fact. Get unstuck by focusing on the facts, acknowledging your feelings and the feelings of those around you, and take action to reach your goal without undermining or discrediting naturally occurring emotions.
Emotions are designed to inform, not paralyze. Turn the effect of emotions from negative to positive by balancing your mind with rational facts and a commitment to moving forward.
Neck Up Leadership brings together three nationally recognized leadership curriculums into one single source to help you get further faster on your leadership journey. Learn more at neckupleaders.com.
