The Emotion Edge: A Practical Superpower

Want to tap into your brain's hidden superpower for navigating complex and ambiguous situations? Evolution has bestowed upon us a remarkable capability that is especially relevant in today's fast-paced world. This innate power operates at lightning speed, surpassing the logical thinking of the pre-frontal cortex. It enables senior executives to tackle unprecedented challenges and rapidly evolving landscapes with remarkable clarity and insight. We're talking about the dynamic combination of emotional intelligence and intuition—the ultimate tools for executives to navigate the intricate webs of complexity.

Emotions, the language of your brain, offer invaluable and instant feedback in the face of complexity. While senior executives are likely already familiar with the concept of emotional intelligence, it's the practical applications that truly set it apart. In complex situations, rational analysis may fall short, but our emotions and intuition step in seamlessly, providing intuitive understanding of underlying dynamics that may otherwise remain elusive. This remarkable synergy equips executives to cut through information overload and make sense of complexity with unparalleled acuity. Emotional intelligence and intuition, the power duo of the modern era, offer senior executives an edge to thrive and succeed in an ever-evolving landscape of complexity.

Let's dive into a coaching conversation that beautifully illustrates the impact of emotional intelligence.

“One more thing,” my client said near the end of our session, “completely unrelated.”

Those last minute “one more thing” conversations are often the most important. And no, they are almost never unrelated.

“How do other CEOs manage their emotions when someone underperforms?”

Was she feeling frustrated and angry? Did she frequently lose her temper? When our subordinates underperform, anger is a common emotion that serves as a signal that their actions or behaviors are falling short of our expectations or the organization's standards.

“What do you feel in those situations?” I asked.

“You know. I’m sure other CEOs feel the same thing.”

I showed her a feel wheel so she could pick out the emotions she experienced. She could choose from a whole range of subtle emotions related to anger and frustration. What she said next surprised me.

“I feel… sad, guilty, afraid, anxious. And worried. I’m disappointed in myself. Like I wasted an opportunity to be a better leader. I feel guilty that I might have given too many instructions to someone who followed my advice closely, and then didn’t perform as expected. So it was my fault.”

The feeling wasn’t anger at all! Senior executives experience guilt when they believe they have not lived up to their own expectations or have failed to meet the standards they have set for themselves and their team. This feeling of guilt arises from a deep sense of personal responsibility and accountability for their actions and decisions.

Our conversation over the previous 45 minutes had been about becoming a more empowering leader. She was already performing well, at what she felt was a 7 out of 10 rating, where 1 is about delegating tasks and 10 is delegating authority and results, the literal definition of empowerment. Our conversation had been about ways to take her empowerment to a 10. Now, with this new insight, it was clear she was blaming herself for her team’s underperformance.

“So,” I said, “would these feelings of guilt and anxiety be more common in situations where you operated lower on the empowerment scale? Maybe even less than 7 out of 10?”

She thought a moment, then slowly nodded. “Oh….,” she said, “this is all related.”

Her emotions were telling her exactly what was going on. Listening to them revealed key insights that would otherwise be difficult to uncover, and quickly unlocked new opportunities for growth.

Understanding the relationship between empowerment and her emotional responses provided her with a valuable roadmap for growth. She recognized that by increasing her level of empowerment and delegating more authority and accountability to her team members, she could create an environment where they could thrive and achieve their full potential. This shift in leadership approach would not only alleviate her feelings of guilt but also foster a culture of trust, growth, and shared accountability within her team.

With this newfound awareness, she embarked on a journey to enhance her leadership effectiveness by empowering her team members further. She focused on building clear communication channels, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility, and creating opportunities for skill development and growth. As she implemented these strategies, she noticed a remarkable transformation in her team's performance and engagement. The emotions that once signaled guilt and disappointment gradually shifted to pride, satisfaction, and a shared sense of accomplishment.

By developing her emotional intelligence and leveraging the power of emotions as valuable feedback, she harnessed her brain's hidden superpower to navigate complex situations with confidence and agility. She understood that emotions were not distractions or obstacles to overcome but rather powerful tools for understanding and guiding her leadership journey. Through continuous reflection, self-awareness, and the integration of emotional intelligence into her decision-making process, she unlocked a secret weapon that propelled her leadership to new heights.

In today's transformative era, senior executives who embrace emotional intelligence as a critical leadership tool gain a competitive edge. They tap into their brain's innate ability to process highly complex and ambiguous situations with lightning speed, leveraging emotions as a compass to navigate the intricacies of the business landscape. By cultivating emotional agility and understanding the profound insights that emotions offer, these leaders unlock their full potential and drive meaningful change within themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

Let’s look at some of the most common emotions and what they might mean.

Anger: As a senior executive, anger may arise when you perceive an injustice or unethical behavior within your organization. It could stem from breaches of trust, conflicts of interest, or actions that compromise the integrity of your business. This emotion serves as a signal to address these issues and protect the values and interests of your company.

Guilt: Senior executives may experience guilt when they believe they have made a decision or taken an action that goes against their own ethical standards or the best interests of their employees or stakeholders. This feeling of guilt indicates the need for self-reflection, accountability, and the desire to rectify any harm caused.

Sadness: Sadness can manifest among senior executives in response to significant setbacks, failures, or unexpected challenges that impact the organization. It may arise from feelings of disappointment, loss, or the need to make difficult decisions that affect the livelihood of employees. Acknowledging this sadness allows for necessary reflection and a focus on strategies for resilience and recovery.

Fear: Senior executives may experience fear when faced with major disruptions, such as market uncertainties, technological advancements, or competitive pressures. Fear can also arise from the responsibility of making critical decisions that have far-reaching consequences. Recognizing this fear enables you to proactively assess risks, seek innovative solutions, and navigate change effectively.

Joy: Joy can be experienced by senior executives when their strategic initiatives succeed, when they witness the growth and achievements of their employees, or when the organization achieves important milestones. It is a celebration of success and a reminder of the positive impact of effective leadership and teamwork.

Surprise: As a senior executive, surprise may come from unexpected opportunities, disruptive innovations, or the emergence of new market trends. These surprises can serve as catalysts for creativity, growth, and staying ahead of the competition. Embracing the element of surprise encourages adaptability and the exploration of new possibilities.

Trust in the insights of your emotions, use them as your internal compass, and navigate complex situations with agility. Embrace this newfound but age-old strength and lead with authenticity, empathy, and purpose.

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