|
|
|
| |
Sharpen your emotional edge.
Welcome to this week's issue of "The EQ Edge." (Now, you can read the archives.)Today, we will explore an emotion that holds a spot in my top three: SADNESS. Intriguing, isn't it? But as we journey through this edition, you'll understand why.
Sadness, often brushed aside with comforting phrases like 'Don't be sad, everything is okay,' offers profound wisdom. It educates us about our values and leads the way for renewal and change. It encourages us to release outdated practices and embrace the new. This applies to everything, from old work methods we stick to because 'that's how it's been done all this time' to managing organizational changes where we may part ways with valued colleagues. Even when manifested subtly, such as the disappointment from missing a goal, sadness acts as a reminder of our aspirations, encouraging us to release past outcomes and push forward with renewed vigor.
So, in this week's journey of emotional literacy, we're embracing SADNESS. We're examining its true impact and how it can become a driving force for personal growth and empathetic leadership. |
| | | |
| |
Emotion Spotlight
SADNESS
“The Sadness Family takes a regular inventory of what we have, what we need, what we’ve lost, and what we need to lose in order to function well.” - Karla McLaren, M.Ed.
Sadness is instrumental in managing transitions, addressing loss, and recognizing necessary changes. It's easy to overlook this emotion because, let's face it, who enjoys confronting change and loss? But ignoring sadness can escalate to more severe situations like situational depression. It could mean we're not handling changes well, avoiding dealing with losses, or turning a blind eye to significant problems. |
| | | |
| |
| |
Understanding SADNESS
Definition: Sadness is an emotion that typically emerges when we experience loss or change of something or someone we greatly value.
Message: "There's something I've lost or that I'm missing."
Feeling: Sadness often brings feelings of heaviness or emptiness, sometimes accompanied by tears or a desire to withdraw.
Intensity Spectrum: Disappointment < Sadness < Situational Depression. From the mild sensation of disappointment when expectations aren't met, to sadness, a deeper response to loss or significant change. At the peak, we find situational depression, a severe response to ongoing, unaddressed dysfunction that results in disengagement and a complete loss of energy, which is not uncommon in the workplace.
SADNESS in Leadership
As a leader, embracing sadness rather than avoiding it can be a catalyst for your team and the overall vitality of your business. Recognizing sadness is the first step towards revitalizing processes, healing transitions, and fostering a culture of empathy and support. This awareness can deepen connections within your team and drive positive change.
Useful when:
- Navigating through times of change and transition.
- Facilitating open discussions about team disappointments or failures.
- Encouraging empathy and understanding within the team.
- Recognizing and addressing problematic practices or methods.
Not useful when:
- It clouds judgment or hampers decision-making.
- It significantly lowers motivation or productivity.
- It prevents acceptance and management of change.
Communication tips:
- Be Observant and Empathetic: "It seems we're going through a tough transition, and it's okay to feel down. Feeling sadness during transitions is natural, and it often indicates areas we deeply care about."
- Encourage Open Dialogue: "These changes seem to be affecting us. How is everyone coping?"
- Lead with Vulnerability and Resilience: "At times, I've also felt down due to changes or unexpected outcomes. However, I've found those moments to be opportunities for growth. Feelings of sadness show we care. Let's use these feelings as stepping stones for improvement."
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: "Our sadness tells us something needs to change. Let's brainstorm on how we can do better."
-
Remember, the goal is not to 'fix' the sadness but to acknowledge it and understand what it is trying to tell us. From there, we can use this insight to guide our actions and decisions, ultimately leading to a more empathetic and resilient team.
|
| | | |
| |
| |
It is our hope that this exploration of sadness enlightens your leadership journey, helping you perceive this emotion from a fresh perspective.
Until next week, |
| | | |
|