How Challenging Are The Emotional Lives of Leaders
Feeling emotional at work is common. Work plays a significant role in our lives, bringing both stress and satisfaction. However, it can be challenging when your boss or coworkers don't react as expected. How do you make sense of overwhelming feelings in those moments?
A crucial aspect to consider is that your thoughts drive your emotions. If you're experiencing anger, sadness, or inadequacy, it's likely because of specific beliefs about the situation.
By questioning these beliefs, you may realize they aren't based on reality. Recognizing this can help reduce the intense emotions you're facing, allowing you to better handle the challenges of leadership.
Leaders often face the expectation to remain composed and unemotional. However, they are human and experience a wide range of feelings, just like anyone else.
To build emotional regulation skills, increase your awareness of how your thoughts affect your emotions. It's essential to understand that thoughts aren't facts; they are personal interpretations based on individual experiences.
Just having a thought doesn’t make it a reality. For example, if I feel anxious about an upcoming presentation, I might think, "I'm going to fail." This thought doesn’t guarantee that failure will happen. Once I start presenting, I’ll likely perform well.
Understanding why I have that thought can reveal that I’m putting too much pressure on myself, causing my mind to create worst-case scenarios to avoid disappointment.
By recognizing distorted thoughts, I can challenge and reframe them more positively. Regular practice of this can strengthen my emotional regulation skills and improve my effectiveness as a leader.
While feeling emotional at work occasionally is normal, leaders must learn to manage their feelings for continued effectiveness. Becoming aware of thoughts and their impact on emotions is a step in building that skill. Remember, not every thought reflects truth.
Learning to question negative thoughts and reframe them positively will set the stage for becoming an emotionally intelligent leader. With these skills, navigating tough situations becomes easier.