Move and Groove #33 - Managing Emotions

I had a boss that would use anger to motivate me. I explained that anger wasn't very effective at motivating me and would cause me to withdraw instead of perform. I understood it wasn't intentional. Many or most leaders are not trained on emotional awareness, regulation, and intelligence. In the world of corporate leadership, we often focus on hard skills and strategic thinking. Leaders are kind of left on their own to train the psychological, emotional, and social skills that are necessary for success.

Emotions are powerful and tell us something - was a boundary crossed? Was I clear in my expectations? Did I communicate the mission well enough? Your ability to understand and manage emotions, both your own and others', is a key to truly exceptional leadership. If a team member sees you lose your cool over something small, they may doubt your ability to lead the team through crisis. Welcome to the world of Emotional Intelligence (EI), a set of cognitive and emotional skills required for success in leadership.

Neuroscience Nugget: Research has shown that emotional intelligence is closely linked to activity in specific brain regions. Emotional intelligence is associated with a network of brain regions, including areas involved in self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation (Barbey et al., 2014). This suggests that EI isn't just a soft skill - it's a neurologically grounded ability that can be developed and strengthened over time.

Here's how emotional intelligence can improve your leadership:

1. Self-awareness: Understanding your own emotions helps you make better decisions and manage stress.
2. Empathy: Recognizing others' emotions allows you to connect more deeply and motivate your team effectively.
3. Emotional regulation: Managing your emotions helps you stay calm under pressure and inspire confidence.
4. Social skills: Understanding the emotional dynamics of a group can help you motivate teams and lead them through crises.

Pep Talk: Start treating emotional intelligence as a crucial leadership skill. Invest in EI training and coaching for your team. Pay attention to your own emotions and those of others. Practice active listening, not just to words but to tone and body language. When faced with a challenging situation, take a moment to consider the emotional context before responding. And, no matter what, put the damn phone away.

Remember, as a leader, your emotional state can be contagious. By developing your emotional intelligence, you're not just improving yourself - you're positively influencing your entire team and organization.

Let's tap into the power of emotions and lead with intelligence that truly resonates!

Be well,

Eric

P.S. Enjoy these resources on your journey:

• Winning at Work - our signature course on doing your best work, while feeling great at the same time. Access the launch promotion and get $300 off, coaching, and surprise bonuses.
• Be Well Mind - blogs on neuroscience, sports science, and performance.
• Schedule a free call - enjoy a powerful one hour coaching session for free.
• Group Flow Checklist - improve your team's ability to enter group flow for more productivity, innovation, and joy.
• Friday Afternoon Strategy Hack - when your competition is choosing where to go for happy hour, outmaneuver them with this strategic tool.