Emotionally aware leaders understand their own (and, by extension, their employees) emotional triggers. Emotional triggers are people, events, conditions, or experiences that arouse intense negative reactions. Incompetence, micromanagement, constantly missing or incomplete information, arrogant and superior attitude, lack of communication, and excessive number of unproductive meetings are just some of the emotional triggers at play in the workplace. Once triggered, an emotional reaction may stir up other negative memories and negate any positive experiences on the job.
Because research in the neurosciences is proving that positive emotional energy is needed for achieving peak performance, building strong and sustainable relationships, and experiencing good health in the workplace emotional awareness is a must. Close observation is the best way to learn about emotional triggers. Pay strict attention to everything that is going on during an emotional interaction, including your own reaction. Then, immediately after the episode has passed, note your answers to the following questions:
• What triggered the event? Write down a summary of what happened. Include background information, such as past discussions, responses, and compromises. Be detailed so that you can find cause-and effect relationships among the specifics.
• What emotions were felt and displayed? It is easy to answer this question for yourself, but judge others’ emotions by how they acted. Often, body language is louder than actual words, especially for people who react passively.
• What words were exchanged? These words are informative. In the heat of the moment, people are generally honest about their feelings and thoughts. If you listen carefully, you will find out a lot about what is working and what is not working.
• How quickly did the situation escalate, and how long did it last? This time frame is important because it indicates the depth of the emotions felt or length of time they have been repressed.
• What are the emotional consequences of the event for you and for the others? Make a list of the emotions you and others displayed afterward — embarrassed, angry, sad, regretful, and so on. Compare them. Are they similar or different, and why?
Over time, observing these emotional reactions will give you insight into your own and your employees’ emotional patterns. Then, you can use this knowledge to better manage your own emotions by changing your mental models, or by taking the next step to learn the skill of Positive Presence.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.