Why other people's emotional responses impact us

As humans, we all have several core basic needs (Rosenberg, 2004). We experience positive emotions when our basic needs are met and have negative emotions when our needs aren’t met. The fulfillment of your basic human needs is critical for your overall life satisfaction. This satisfaction can strongly impact your work performance and how you interact with others.

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Review the list of needs below and think about your current life and work situation. Put a plus sign (+) next to needs you feel are currently being met to your satisfaction, and a minus sign (-) next to those that aren’t currently being met.

 

Work-specific needs

  • A level of enjoyment while working
  • A sense of belonging and community
  • A sense of purpose and meaning in the work that one does
  • Appreciation
  • Being able to discuss the loss of workers
  • Being able to modify your work environment to optimize your productivity
  • Being recognized and celebrated for success and effort at work
  • Your roles and activities at work don’t violate your personal integrity
  • Fairness and equity in decision-making
  • Having a level of choosing how you’ll do your job (not necessarily what or when)
  • Physically safe and healthy work environment
  • Psychologically safe and healthy work environment
  • Respect
  • Support

 

General human needs

 

Acknowledgment and recognition

  • Acknowledging losses, including dreams, health and loved ones
  • Celebrating the creation of life and dreams fulfilled

 

Autonomy

  • Choosing your dreams, goals and values
  • Choosing plans for fulfilling your dreams, goals and values

 

Integrity

  • Authenticity
  • Creativity
  • Meaning
  • Self-worth

 

Interdependence

  • Acceptance
  • Appreciation
  • Closeness
  • Community
  • Consideration
  • Emotional safety
  • Empathy
  • Honesty
  • Love
  • Reassurance
  • Respect
  • Support
  • Trust
  • Understanding

 

Physical nurturance

  • Clean environment
  • Healthy food
  • Movement, exercise
  • Protection from life-threatening life illnesses/threats
  • Rest
  • Sexual expression
  • Shelter
  • Touch
  • Water

 

Play

  • Fun
  • Laughter

 

 

Spiritual communion

  • Beauty
  • Harmony
  • Inspiration
  • Order
  • Peace

 

Some emotions/states we may experience when our needs are fulfilled include: 

  • Amazed
  • Fulfilled
  • Joyous
  • Stimulated
  • Comfortable
  • Glad
  • Moved
  • Surprised
  • Confident
  • Hopeful
  • Optimistic
  • Thankful
  • Eager
  • Inspired
  • Proud
  • Touched
  • Energetic
  • Intrigued
  • Relieved
  • Trustful

(Rosenberg, 2004, p. 23) 

 

Some emotions/states we may experience when our needs are unfulfilled include: 

  • Angry
  • Discouraged
  • Hopeless
  • Overwhelmed
  • Annoyed
  • Distressed
  • Impatient
  • Puzzled
  • Concerned
  • Embarrassed
  • Irritated
  • Reluctant
  • Confused
  • Frustrated
  • Lonely
  • Sad
  • Disappointed
  • Helpless
  • Nervous
  • Uncomfortable

 (Rosenberg, 2004, p. 23) 

 

 

List up to 3 of your most important needs that are currently not fulfilled to your satisfaction in the workplace. Think about specific actions you can take to work toward ensuring these needs become fulfilled. An example appears in italics. 

 

  1. Unfulfilled need:

Example: Support 

 

 

Specific actions I can take to have this need fulfilled: 

Example: Explain to the general manager that I could take on more important tasks if I had a part-time administrative assistant. 

 

 

  1. Unfulfilled need:

 

 

Specific actions I can take to have this need fulfilled: 

 

 

  1. Unfulfilled need:

 

 

Specific actions I can take to have this need fulfilled: 

 

 

Reference: 

 

Rosenberg, M. B. (2004). We Can Work It Out: Resolving Conflicts Peacefully and Powerfully. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press. 

 

Contributors include:Dr. Joti Samra

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