There are unwritten rules about the emotions you’re expected to show at work. These implicit “feeling rules” are so embedded in an organization’s social fabric that we rarely notice them. However, there are times when there’s a conflict between how you feel and the emotions you’re expected to display. So how do you decide when to express your true feelings and be “authentic” and when to put on a game face and show the emotions expected of you?
When Your Feelings Conflict with Your Leadership Role
Four techniques to help you balance your emotions with what the situation demands of you.
January 27, 2023
HBR Staff/Yan Krukau/Pexels
Summary.
While the emotional work you do as a leader may go unrecognized and undervalued, it is more vital than ever in today’s work world. This labor is often a selfless and prosocial act, allowing you to care for and positively impact others even when you’re not feeling it. However, it should not come at your personal expense. In this piece, the author offers four techniques to try the next time your feelings and emotional expectations are discordant, so that you can preserve your health and ensure your high performance over time.