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Emotions at work? Yes please!

 


"I was biting my tongue the whole time."  

"Gosh, he makes my blood boil."  

"I wish she would just get off my back."  

"There is a knot in my stomach."  

These are all common idioms that describe where emotions manifest in our bodies. We often notice these feelings during tricky conversations.  

Interestingly, even though our bodies are sending us clear signals about what we are experiencing, we tend to ignore them. This is a missed opportunity since these signals remind us to tap into our communication skills and emotional intelligence.  

What can you do?  

  • - Do you notice tension in your body? Is your heart beating faster? This may indicate that the conversation is exciting or challenging. Ask yourself: What do I find exciting or difficult?  
  • - State what you observe or feel. For example: "I notice my heart is beating fast, and there's a knot in my stomach. I feel uncomfortable."  
  • - Examine your judgments about your emotions. What do you think about them? What have you learned about these emotions? Are your thoughts positive or negative?  
  • - When you view emotions as valuable sources of information, you become curious. You want to explore what your emotions are telling you and what lessons they offer. This curiosity fosters self-awareness. By becoming aware of your emotions, you can take the next step in managing your responses and actions.  

Suppressing emotions at work and failing to express them effectively can harm your health. It may lead to minor issues like headaches and concentration problems, but it can also result in more serious conditions such as insomnia, migraines, or even burnout.  

Therefore, allow emotions to have a place at work—both your own and those of others. It may take some adjustment, and you might feel uncomfortable at first. However, being uncomfortable can lead to significant growth. After all, we can only grow and learn outside our comfort zones.

 

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