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We often notice people of some cultures have special emotional intensity greater than others. It is considered acceptable and they are permitted to be more excitable, passionate, exude happiness, laugh loudly and even cry at times in front of others. These displays of emotions, however, are often considered unacceptable within the North American business world. Maybe they should be?
Studies show that creatively gifted people are emotionally intense and have rich inner lives (Piechowski, 1991). Many entrepreneurs are gifted. Enhanced feelings are often the catalyst that helps produce great art, memorable music, dramatic plays, absorbing literature and breathtaking performances. Despite being professionals – animated conductors, passionate actors, and graceful ballerinas are acceptable. Why not the exuberant, playful business person?
Perhaps we should be more tolerant of passion within the business world too and help people achieve at higher artistic levels. Leaders might dare to express themselves more artistically and creatively. Rigid, proper, conformist conservatism and political correctness, so often seen in the business world, are our worst silent enemies that slay creativity, potentially great ideas and solutions.
To be passionately in love with one’s work provides meaning to existence. It is truly one of life’s great blessings and used to run any business can have great positive effect. Emotional intensity causes people to love their work, be more playful and analytical with information, and motivates them to dream bigger. They put more time, effort and gusto into what they do.
Many people are disturbed when a professional “loses it”. The armour has been pierced and the “weakness” is exposed. The person is obviously not strong enough or up to the challenge. He or she is considered too weak to be a good manager or director. (think about what happens when you see politicians cry publicly)
Dabrowski and Piechowski (1977) show that “emotional over-excitability” is strongly correlated with high intelligence. Piechowski (1991) defines “emotional over-excitability” as “the great depth and intensity of emotional life expressed through a wide range of feelings, attachments, compassion, heightened sense of responsibility, and scrupulous self-examination”. Isn’t this what we want more of in the people who run our governments, economies and societies? Emotions help people be who they are.
Unfortunately, the North American culture does not view heightened emotionality positively. As small children, we are often told to stop crying and be strong. As we grow older – especially boys – these words are reinforced and repeated. “Be a man” is difficult but do-able. In schools, great amounts of energy are used to control behavior, thinking and emotions within the socialization process. Repressing emotions, however, represses vitality, creativity and motivation. It is also bad for physical and intellectual health. Is it any wonder that adults in the workplace are often closed and rigid? They have learned to do only “safe” things and behave in a “safe” manner.
Our responsibility is to be emotionally alive in many ways. This leads to being a good role model for sensitivity and honoring sensitivity as a positive trait. If we don’t nurture emotional sensitivity and intensity, we risk corrosion of healthy emotional development. Stifling people leads to emotional and intellectual mediocrity, stress, and illnesses. Maybe this explains why we have such a rampant lack of caring and sensitivity to life on our planet. Emotional intensity should be allowed, supported, and not squelched.
Here are some reasonably acceptable ways to bring more emotional intensity into the workplace:
– laugh heartily when something is funny. Controlled smiles and reserved chuckles are easily seen as fake. Tell jokes and funny stories. In return, accept jokes for what they are. Laugh at shortcomings and goof-ups.
– don’t take things so seriously. Play is the work of children. Work should be the play of adults.
– encourage free expression of thoughts – no matter how wild, crazy, dumb or stupid the ideas may seem. Sometimes, from the wackiest of thoughts can come the greatest of ideas. After the thoughts and ideas are out in the open, then discard, modify, enhance, or embrace and accept. Being too careful can hurt you and your business as much as recklessness.
– nurture an environment in which it is acceptable to make mistakes. When they happen, however, focus on solutions not the problems. Help people to correct them and set a good example of not being judgmental and punitive.
– don’t lay blame or punish people for errors or shortcomings. We all make them!! Let people apologize and feel badly. Help colleagues and friends, strengthen and protect others, motivate them to do better next time.
– touching is a positive means of communication. The pat on the back, hand on the shoulder, laying a hand on another hand, need to become acceptable again. They are emotionally significant in human life. If we continue to stigmatize touching, any kind that does happen will eventually be viewed as sexual in nature. Very dangerous.
– when there is success, allow yourself and others to be a little more outgoing in expressing feelings. A dance, whoop, cheer, yee-haw, clapping should be accepted as a natural human reaction. Emote!!
– crying, sobbing, tearing up should be acceptable in a business setting. Perhaps discuss the topic at a meeting so that people are treated with respect, kindness and compassion and can react naturally and appropriately.
– feelings of anger, frustration, rage, confusion, despair during high-stress situations could be vented in a “safe” and soundproof room later. A punching bag can be helpful. Once emotions are expressed, most people calm down and feel much better. Some Japanese businesses have these options for their workers. If there are no other options, each person can bring a dense pillow into which everything can be vented.
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Source by Otto Schmidt
