How can you recognize and manage your emotions as a program manager?

During a critical data migration, unforeseen challenges arise. The manager, leveraging high EI, listens empathetically to team concerns, addressing fears about potential disruptions. Constructive feedback is provided to the team, acknowledging their efforts amid difficulties. When conflicts emerge, the manager resolves them diplomatically, ensuring a harmonious work environment. The leader's ability to inspire trust and adapt to the stressors of data management enhances team resilience. By navigating complexities with emotional intelligence, the program manager not only ensures project success but also fosters a positive and supportive culture in the data-driven work landscape.

Working on my Emotional Intelligence has been an important part of my personal development journey. It's allowed me to recognise and take action on the emotions that hold me back and those that enable me to operate at my best. But being emotionally intelligent is so much more than self-awareness, it's listening carefully to the words people use, the tonality, picking up on non-verbal cues, meeting them where they are, providing timely feedback and being true to your word.

The first year in business for me was about learning to be self-aware, that has been key. Because the ability to identify my emotions and their impact on decision making, has helped me support staff, resolve issues with clients and suppliers and just be the best possible manager. I believe it’s so crucial to utilise empathy to understand what the team is going through. And champion a supportive work environment. I try to communicate openly and transparently, acknowledging and addressing emotional challenges. But most importantly I lean on my mentor to help me manage stress and maintain emotional well-being.

Program manager learns to work within to be present to his or her emotions which is self regulation. Next he or she is aware of one's impact on the other and the emotions they bring for him or her which is social awareness and relationship management. Equipped with this knowledge, they learn to manage their arising emotions and offer clear communication, guidelines, concise feedback and adequate amounts of appreciation. They are mindful of each person's strengths, areas of development and keep a note of personal background to offer sensitive feedback or create necessary provisions to fulfil conditions of psychological safety as well as psychological contract. Such a program manager would be an asset to the company!

Completely agree. From my experience, naming and understanding our own emotions, as well as recognising those of others, not only enhances our relationships but plays a massive role in enhancing how communicate and lead.

Certainly, as a program manager, a heightened empathy quotient is crucial. Understanding your own emotional dependencies and triggers is key, as what bothers you in others often reflects aspects of yourself. This self-awareness enables effective leadership and fosters a more empathetic and supportive work environment.

Self awareness coupled with social awareness is an asset. It creates empathy and compassion which is essential to maintaining presence and active listening when communication so requires it. Awareness of discomfort as it arises in self or others and having a wide window of tolerance towards it, will support navigating many murky situations Conflict resolution too is easily undertaken when one's emotions are not allowed to be hijacked. There will be an understanding towards self care and care for others too. Subtle mirroring will create co regulation and amiable work environ.

Simple strategies include -I am feeling not comfortable and an unease -This is my thought loop -This is how I want to react -Will it serve me or the team to do so? -What can I do to get the outcome I want? 5?? self statements and assessment can pretty much bring you in alignment in your value system and plan to execute your outcomes in a productive direction.

It is easy to allow a hijack. Then the neo cortex can go offline and body is at the mercy of jump and shout. Ever since stone age, body has lived with this. Neo cortex requires effort to keep this hijack in the body, in check! Bubbling emotions do want an outlet. Person who learns the 'skill' to understand this hijack, know what brings it and has learned to pat its wrinkles out, will emerge calm, in command and conquer the process and outcomes. The process of regulation is a daily practice and mindset. It cannot be called upon just on demand. It needs to be cultivated in the body. It is not stress or high expectations just an untrained mind and body.

Work with a professional. Work with your individual backgrounds and challenges with a coach or therapist to create a, specific program for your life circumstances! You need a coach, each time you jumble up! Videos, books, podcasts are complementary support. Working with a coach or therapist is an absolute essential to the key goal of emotional awareness, management and regulation of emotions. Self awareness, self management, social awareness and relationship management needs work intricately and daily!