Wheel of emotions- Sadness
Today on our weekly deep dive into our essential #emotions via the #wheelofemotions, we take on #sadness. It’s difficult to give words to this feeling, which can often be overwhelming & confusing.
Sadness typically implies that love, joy or a general feeling of contentment is going away. At its most intense, sadness becomes grief-a feeling of being heartbroken and distraught. At its least intense- sadness is pensiveness- a feeling slow and disconnected in everything you do.
When I read these definitions- I was taken back to all my coaching sessions with executives and other clients during the times of the pandemic, and how every single spectrum of sadness was experienced so deeply back then. In times that are characterized by #disruptions, both big and small- it’s brought a salient question to my mind, that begs #reflection:
How does one lead during times of #trauma and #sadness?
In my sessions, I noticed persistent and troubling questions arise that affected how people live their lives:
– Why did this happen?
– Could I have prevented it?
– How will we cope?
– Why me?
– Why NOT me?
It’s doubly hard for leaders and executives grappling with such questions themselves, to guide their teams through it at large. Here are a few things for you to remember:
1️⃣ It’s not your job to answer these questions- but you must foster an environment and #culture that is open enough to allow the team to ponder these questions even on company time during times of crisis. Give people time, and if possible- the resources- to begin their healing process.
2️⃣ Never deny your own feelings. Be #vulnerable. Openly expressing that you are battling the same feelings of sadness and uncertainty will only strengthen your bond with the team, and restore their confidence in the work they do. It’s important to be in the trenches, rather than quelling the chaos.
3️⃣ Just be there. Being physically and emotionally present while people process terrible events may not change the reality for them- but there is an incredible shift in energy, and true power in standing by people, even without words- while they make #meaning of sadness and grief.
Sadness is as natural as joy. Let your #workplace be a place where every feeling is seen and valued.
#eq #emotionalintelligence #hr #executivecoaching #executivedevelopment #harvardbusinessreview #peoplefirst #icfcoaching