Organisations and businesses are composed of people. Emotions are part of our human nature, and they may intensify when we interact with others. When you are working as a team, and there is so much energy, pressure, egos and excitement in the environment, it is unavoidable that emotions may run high, which can lead to conflicts or friction among colleagues.
Let’s focus more on volatile emotions that, if remained unchecked, may cause harm to one’s well-being or professional relationship. Anger, disappointment, frustration, distress, resentment, fear, sadness, displeasure and anxiety are just some of the sentiments one may feel towards a situation or person. However, even if one’s negative sensation is not necessarily directed to all the people within an organisation, it can stir the office atmosphere and create a ripple effect of undesirable energy that may not be helpful to everyone around.
While work may cause a lot of stress on people, it is undeniable that some negative feelings may be caused by external forces, such as personal concerns and other factors that may not be work-related. You must acknowledge such emotions, whether yours or from others, and not repress them. Better yet, talk it out in a composed and calm fashion to eliminate any misunderstanding, acknowledge any mistake and move towards an amicable solution.
Manage your own emotions first
Whether you are the one who is at the height of emotions or dealing with someone who is, you must keep your reaction under control. It is innate for human beings to have feelings but it is also the nature of feelings to change over time, depending on the circumstances and how people deal with them. To avoid causing distress or wreaking havoc on your team or clients because of what you feel, you may find these tips helpful.
Take a deep breath and have a minute to compose yourself
Before you face anyone, allot a minute or two for yourself to take a deep breath and clear your head. Sometimes, you need a moment to identify your emotions and process things internally or prepare yourself for what’s to come.
Talk it out with someone you trust
If you feel sad, angry, anxious or anything else that is weighing you down, try to talk about it to someone you trust. Maybe a lending ear or a reassuring remark can help ease the burden off your shoulders.
Do an activity to relieve you of such emotions
Go for a walk outside, squeeze some stress balls, listen to soft music or have a cup of tea. Try to do an activity that can help you calm down or relax, even for a short while, before you continue with the tasks at hand.
Outline the things you can do to mitigate the issue
You may not fully control the thoughts and feelings of other people but you can do something about yours. When you have cleared your mind and identified the root cause of your emotions, list the things you can do on your part to resolve or mitigate the issue. Do you need to talk to someone? Do you need to verify something? Is there a need to correct a person, a process or a situation?
Manage your people’s emotions
Before you are going to deal with the emotions of others, make sure that you are in the right frame of mind to face the person who is having an emotional breakdown. Whether those sensations are work-related or personal issues, not attending to the emotional needs of your team members may affect everyone else in the organisation. Although you may have an HR who can focus on these matters, there are instances when your team people will look to you for support, comfort or resolution. How do you become a beacon of light for them when they are in distress?
Make the person calm down and listen
Let the person calm down. Offer a glass of water and allow emotions to subside. Lead the person to a private space for a chat. This way, the person will not feel embarrassed while not disrupting the rest of the team with an outburst. Ask the one involved how he feels, listen to his concerns and affirm his emotions.
Check facts, verify details and know the reasons for such feelings
Get to the bottom of the matter. Know the reason why your people feel that way. See the big picture so you can better understand the person. If there’s a conflict between colleagues, listen to both sides of the story and look at the situation from various angles and lens.
Steer them towards a solution
If it is due to personal issues, you can ask questions that will help lead the person to a solution. However, if such feelings were brought about by work, you can probably come up with steps that can help alleviate negative emotions in the workplace.
No matter how much you keep things professional at work, it is inevitable for people to feel slighted, offended or dejected in the office. Personal feelings can also come into play and small issues may blow up along the way. These are things that must not be ignored. For your business not to suffer, along with relationships within your organisation, it is better to nip it from the bud by attending to such concerns early on.