Time required
Approximately 25 minutes, depending on group size.
Preparation
In advance of the activity, prepare the following to display on a screen or flip-chart.
Emotions have wisdom
- Emotions drive our actions – for example, a fight, flight or freeze response.
- Emotions communicate to others what we may be experiencing and that we may need support.
- Emotions tell us something important in our life is changing or needs attention.
Suggested wording
Emotions – even those that feel unpleasant or seem negative – can serve several important functions. Some of the main functions are that:
Emotions drive our actions – for example, a fight, flight or freeze response. In each case, if you deny or shove away the emotion, you won’t be able to tap into the information it has for you. You’ll also likely have a harder time moving forward.
Emotions communicate to others what we may be experiencing and that we may need support.
Emotions tell us something important in our life is changing or needs attention. We may need to change our own thoughts or attitudes. Or we may need to change something in our relationships or environment.
We all may find that we are less effective at work when we ignore or deny our emotions. It doesn’t mean we need to be unprofessional or emotional all day. It does mean that we need to be aware of the information our own emotions may be communicating to us. For example, someone may be surprised to find themselves reacting angrily when invited to a special event. Upon further reflection, they may realize that the anger reaction is telling them they’re overcommitted and should reconsider their work/life balance, at least temporarily.
This ability to recognize and assess your own responses is part of emotional intelligence. There’s a lot of wisdom in all emotions, including those you think are negative. Often, ignoring negative emotions means that they come back again and again. When we examine the wisdom, our emotions can teach us, we’ll be more likely to move forward in a healthy way.
If you’re feeling angry, there’s probably something you feel isn’t fair, and you need to identify what it is.
Think of a time where you were angry at work and it served you well because you were able to address something that was not fair. Record the situation including what function this emotion served for you.
[After giving time for participants to record their answer, have a few people share.]
Even if our anger is not justified because we did not have all the facts, using this emotion to set things straight (rather than become hostile or aggressive) is a useful function of the emotion of anger.
If you’re feeling anxious, there’s probably something you need to face or address. This could be something from your past, something in your present or something you’re worrying will happen in the future.
Think of a time where you were anxious at work and it served you well because you were able to identify something that needed to be addressed. Record the situation including what function this emotion served for you.
[After giving time for participants to record their answer, have a few people share.]
Anxiety can slow us down, create fear or make us doubt ourselves. But it can also be a useful emotion when we stop long enough to consider the source and potential solutions.
If you’re feeling sad, there’s probably something you need to let go of, such as a relationship, a dream or a goal. Sadness is often wishing things were different than they are. We don’t have to accept everything as it is, but when we let go of the impossible or improbable, we can integrate the loss and move forward toward what is possible now.
Think of a time where you were sad at work and it served you well because you resolved to let go of what you felt was lost and set your sights on new goals or dreams. Record the situation including what function this emotion served for you.
[After giving time for participants to record their answer, have a few people share and then wrap up]
The point of this activity is to see that all of our emotions have value. Sometimes our behaviours as a result of those emotions can be less than helpful. By valuing the wisdom of emotions and tapping into the information they provide, you step back from reacting to thoughtful consideration of what you need to do or learn. This is emotional intelligence at work.
Find more activities like this at Team building activities.