Managing The Waves Of Emotion At The Work Place
Emotions run very high at times. When human beings interact in close quarters, it is inevitable that some will become angry while others simply get their feelings hurt. These things are no more true anywhere than in the work environment of your business. Sometimes it happens because folks are over worked and stressed out. At other times, it happens from personal conflicts your employess bring to work with them. Whatever their source, anger and personal offenses do nothing to promote productivity and morale in your business. As the business owner, you are not immune to these same tendencies. So you need to have a plan for when emotions get the best of you as the owner.
Dr. Rachna Jain has done some excellent work in this area. From her website, you will learn –
“Dr. Rachna D. Jain is a small business consultant who helps her clients achieve their business goals quickly, with less effort. Her practice helps both men and women recognize and overcome self doubt and fear so that they can create the life and work they truly desire. She specializes in helping her clients overcome low self-esteem and lack of confidence so they can live a successful life on their own terms. Her clients routinely praise her “unbiased perspective”, “gentle way of expressing hard truths”, “supportive style”, “and the numerous tools and processes” she uses to help her clients succeed.
Dr Rachna wrote an article for smallbizarticles.com which deals with the issue of managing your own emotions in your business so you can more effectively help your employees manage theirs. In it she says,
1. Good self-care is the best medicine.
Start with adequate sleep, good nutrition, and regular exercise.
2. Know what anger and frustration feels like to you – both in your head and in your body.
Sometimes, we can get really “cutoff” from our feelings and act rashly without knowing why. Spend some time knowing what anger feels like to you.
3. Take a 10 minute walk.
When you desire to “vent”, excuse yourself from the office and take a brisk 10 minute walk around the parking lot or neighborhood.
4. Vent to a mentor, coach, or trusted colleague.
The act of sharing your frustration and fears will calm you down. These people can support you and help you move forward.
5. Ask, “What am I afraid of?”
Most often, anger or frustration appears when one of our fears has been activated. By going directly for the source of your feelings, you may be able to short-circuit them.
6. Make an exhaustive “do not want” list.
In this list, you write down everything you do NOT want in the situation such as “to look foolish”, “to be unprepared”, etc.. Once you write this all down – ALL OF IT- you will clear your mind and be ready to generate productive solutions.
7. Distract yourself.
Sometimes, getting your mind off the upsetting subject is enough to calm you down. Consider closing your door and playing computer games or something equally mindless (but absorbing).
8. Ask, “What’s working about this situation?”
This tip comes from Kurt Wright’s book, “Breaking the Rules”, and suggests that we all can manage stress better if we start looking at “what’s working” rather than “what’s wrong”. Many times, communication breakdowns or glitches can show you where better systems need to be created and placed and ultimately, will enhance the viability of your organization.
9. Take an action.
Sometimes, when one piece of the business plan isn’t moving, it may mean that another part is ready to be acted upon. Rather than feeling annoyed and frustrated, transform that energy into positive movement forward, where you can.
10. Make a strong request.
If you would like something to be different, start the process of making it so. Contact key people, letting them know that you’d like to work on the impasse, and make your needs and those of your business known.
The old addage says, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” But when that “kitchen” is your business and “the heat” is your own emotions, “getting out of it” is not an option. Instead, you have to learn how to cope with the heat of your emotions on the job so you can effectilvey manage your employees through theirs.
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