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For years, the mantra "check your emotions at the door" has been a staple in many corporate environments. As a former HR professional in the corporate world, I've seen firsthand how this approach has been celebrated and encouraged.
And for much of my professional life, I lived by this philosophy. Bringing my unregulated emotions into the workplace was certainly not the way to climb the corporate ladder, receive recognition from my boss, or gain respect from my colleagues.
The problem is, this mantra bled into other areas of my life, and I developed an unhealthy relationship with my emotions - i.e. ignoring them instead of paying attention to them. This only lead to further emotional dysregulation, and an inability to effectively manage the many stressors of life, personally and professionally.
Eventually, this lead to burnout... an emotional rock bottom that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
It's no surprise that recent scientific advancements suggest that this old-school mindset of "checking your emotions at the door" might actually be detrimental to both individual well-being and organizational performance.
Instead, embracing and regulating emotions can lead to healthier and happier employees, resulting in more productive workplaces. Let's dive into why this is.
The Science Behind Emotions
Emotions are often misunderstood as irrational and disruptive forces that should be suppressed, especially in professional settings. However, the latest research in psychology and neuroscience shows that emotions are integral to our cognitive processes. They provide valuable information about our environment and our internal states, guiding our decisions and behaviors.
When we suppress our emotions, we don't eliminate them. Instead, we bury them, which can lead to increased stress and health problems over time. Studies have shown that unaddressed emotions can lead to anxiety, depression, and even physical illnesses such as heart disease.
The Importance of Emotional Regulation
At Coherent Culture, we advocate for a different approach: recognizing, understanding, and regulating emotions. This process, encapsulated in our IQ+EQ+BQ formula, offers a comprehensive framework for managing emotions constructively.
IQ: Intellectual Intelligence
Our IQ training involves teaching mental models that help individuals better understand the psychological and physiological phenomena of emotions and reactivity. This intellectual framework allows employees to recognize the triggers and patterns in their emotional responses, providing a foundation for deeper emotional work.
EQ: Emotional Intelligence
In our EQ training, we provide a new language of appreciation for emotions and what they teach us. Emotional intelligence involves recognizing, understanding, and managing our own emotions while also empathizing with the emotions of others. By developing a vocabulary for emotions and learning to appreciate their messages, we can transform our emotional landscape from one of chaos to one of coherence.
BQ: Body Intelligence
Finally, in our BQ training, we teach powerful, science-backed techniques for regulating reactivity and emotions. Body Intelligence (BQ) training involves practices such as breathwork, mindfulness, and somatic awareness. These techniques help individuals stay grounded and present, transforming pressure into high performance. Controlled breathing, for example, can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and mental clarity.
Emotions as Information
It's crucial to understand that there is no such thing as a "bad" emotion. Emotions are information, but they are not the complete story. They signal that something in our environment requires our attention. By acknowledging and regulating our emotions, we can use this information to make better decisions and foster a healthier workplace culture.
Conclusion
Suppressing emotions in the workplace is an outdated and unhealthy practice. Instead, recognizing, understanding, and regulating emotions can lead to a more resilient and high-performing team. Rather than "checking your emotions at the door", we need to learn to harness the power of emotional intelligence.
By fostering an environment where team members feel safe to express their emotions constructively, we can enhance communication, improve collaboration, and drive innovation. Building emotional intelligence in the workplace leads to greater job satisfaction, reduced stress, and a more inclusive and supportive culture.
At Coherent Culture, our IQ+EQ+BQ approach provides a comprehensive framework to achieving this balance. By embracing our emotions and learning to manage them effectively, we can transform pressure into performance and create a more cohesive and productive work environment.
If you're ready to explore how our programs can help your organization, book a consultation with us today and start your journey toward a more resilient and coherent culture.
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