Emotional Awareness at work

This assignment helps us reflect on the emotions that we experience at work or about work. These emotions often form the backdrop for messages we send to our colleagues. If we understand our emotions as employees, leaders and followers, we’re better equipped to manage the workplace spirit.

Any person, in any given situation, has some kind of emotional expression. It is up to you ton work out how much of that to express and how much is better left unexpressed, saved for later when you are in a safer, more private or acceptable environment.

Work may upset you but it is hardly even appropriate to show anger at work, especially not to other people. What you might experience as passion will only come across as a lack of control and even intimidating to others.

Work is about trying to foster authenticity though: one cannot be robotic and pretend emotions aren't there. One must totally go along with positive emotions and verve, but again, there is a fine line between appropriate celebration and giddy excess. Sometimes the culture nationally, locally or within different groups of people will also dictate how acceptable emotions are at work.

The purpose of this exercise is to help you identify some of your emotions that affect the workplace culture. Often we block or deny our emotions because somewhere along the line we have learned that it is not appropriate to deal with emotions in the workplace.

However, it is much more powerful if you decide which emotions you should hold back because they will cause unnecessary damage, versus when you should express emotions that may have the ability to do good. This puts all employees in control of a powerful force. The first step in harnessing this power is to recognise the existence of feelings at work. 

Write short answers- a couple of lines each- to these questions.

1. Think about the last time you laughed at work. Why? How did it feel? Did others sense your merriment? 
2. Think about a time you felt defeated at work. Did others sense your mood?
3. When was the last time you were angry at work? Why were you angry? How did it impact your interactions with others?
4. Think about a time when you were overwhelmed at work. How did it impact the workplace? How did it impact your creativity and motivation?
5. Think about a time when you were most proud of your team or department. How did that pride impact the people around you? What do you perceive is the importance of team morale or pride?
6. Think about a time when you were disappointed at work. What signs might have been visible to your colleagues? How about other people- were they disappointed? Was the feeling talked about, or did people just get on without bringing it up? 

Discussion with others in a group

If you have a group or colleague to discuss with, then consider these questions:

1. What are some of the most common reactions to an angry colleague?
2. If the colleague has power over you (e.g. they are a boss) then does their anger affect you differently? If so, have you considered how your emotions affect those who work below you?
3. What are some of the most common reactions to a proud colleague?
4. When is it best to keep your emotions in check and not express your emotions to your colleagues?
5. When can it be useful to express emotions to colleagues?
6. What guidelines would you suggest for displaying negative emotions?
7. What guidelines would you suggest for displaying positive emotions? maybe create a list and discuss with the full group.