How to handle emotions at workplace

Rajeev Bhardwaj

Emotions are an intrinsic part of our lives. While some people are more adept at controlling and not revealing their emotional side; others lack this ‘strategic’ capability. Whichever category you belong to, there will be many situations at work when you may experience an overwhelming sense of emotion. Being overlooked for a promotion or position that you believe you deserved; being harassed intentionally by a superior; a client shouting or haranguing you in an unprofessional way. However, in a professional setting, you are always advised to restrain yourself and express your opinions or feelings in a more composed manner lest you damage your image. Sometimes, fairly decent and well-behaved people when overwhelmed by emotions or in a fit of anger tend to go on a verbal rampage in front of their managers or colleagues. This can scar  professional image and may overshadow all the good you have done over the years.

Whenever confronted with such a situation, it is important to maintain your composure and not come across as a volatile individual. 

• Always remember and remind yourself that a violent or ugly outburst will never be of any help. It will only serve to further worsen the situation and will give another reason or excuse to your tormentors to harass you. Worse still, it will justify their actions in front of the managers.
• It is always important to discuss your professional concerns with your managers but talk when you are in a composed frame of mind. Preferable is to sleep over a current issue, come back more calm next day and then raise your concern.
• There is always a subtle and reasonable way to find a solution to any problem. Do not wallow in self pity, look for a way out. For example, if you are not able to iron your differences with your manager or team members, seek for a change in department or team and start afresh.
• If you are a manager and have a junior employee grappling with such concerns, you must try to be compassionate and advise the individual to exercise restraint. Put yourself in their shoes rather than judging them for their behaviour. Conduct a one-on-one open discussion with the person to give him/her a valve for venting out. Following this advise him/her empathetically and cautiously.

— The writer is VP, HR, Sun Life Financial Asia Service Center