6 Pointers To Handle Emotion

Emotions are a complicated thing. They can help you land the job of your dreams or prevent you from reaching your full potential. But what's the difference between being too emotional and simply displaying your passion for the business? It all depends on how you view emotions and the value you place on them.

Here are six tips to help you keep your emotions in the "safe zone" between passionate and passive:

Tip 1: Take a step back.
There are bound to be times when you are going to get angry at work. Rather than running to your boss fuming, take a step back to identify the issues that made you angry and develop proposed solutions. Present them to your supervisor or manager with calm reserve and enthusiasm for their potential positive outcomes. Presenting the situation on a rational level with the problem and solution clearly defined will encourage your manager to see you as a professional and to view the situation clearly. This can be tough for many people – especially those who aren't accustomed to holding back their emotional energy. But it's important that you wait until the smoke clears to see the total picture. If you don't, you run the risk of being viewed as someone who flies off the handle or is out of control.

Tip 2: Read signals carefully.
If you are one of those people with boundless energy and enthusiasm for most tasks, channel that energy and use it to your advantage. . . but do so carefully. There's nothing like eagerness to energize a project. Just be sure that your passion isn't over the top. In a recent issue of Harvard Business Review, Colleen Barrett, president and COO of Southwest Airlines, says, "I rely on calmer people around me to give me those raised eyebrows that say, ?lower the passion a little bit.'" You don't have to be the president of a company to read signals that say you're over the top. All you need to do is carefully observe the body language of the people around you. It can be a good indicator that you are getting too emotional.

Tip 3: Provide supporting facts.
When you're working on a project that you are really passionate about, back it up with facts and figures. Not only does providing objective data and solid rationale make good business sense, once you see the checks and balances in black and white you'll see if your emotional investment in the project is worth the energy you are expending on it.

Tip 4: Never let them see you sweat (or cry).
The ability to work as part of a team – or head one up – are critical skills that you'll need to succeed. In a professional environment, the team's success will largely depend on the give-and-take that will occur among members as the team works toward its goals. Team meetings can become emotionally charged as members share their opinions and beliefs. As a team leader, the ability to manage your own and others' emotions are crucial skills. One of the best ways to manage other peoples' emotions is to listen to them and show empathy for how they are feeling. People want to be listened to and heard, especially in the workplace where they have a lot of time invested. To manage your own emotions, concentrate on remaining calm and know that members will look to you as their emotional guide. If your emotional fires flare, so will theirs. When all else fails, suggest taking a break. A brief walk to the water cooler will give everyone a chance to calm down. While you are away from the group, identify what is upsetting your or others' emotional balance and come up with a strategy or two to work through it.

Tip 5: Find a confidant to share your triumphs and frustrations.
Sometimes just talking to someone who understands office dynamics can do wonders for your emotional outlook. "Venting," when done with someone who doesn't have the same emotional ties to your company or department that you do, is a healthy behavior because it hurts no one and allows you to release pent up feelings. Choose your confidants wisely and think twice before you let off steam with a fellow coworker who may betray your confidence.

Tip 6: Have balance in your life.
Another way to have emotional balance at work is to have balance in your life outside of work. If your personal life is full and happy, it's going to show at the office. Your tolerance for emotionally charged situations will be much higher and you are more likely to respond appropriately.