What’s Your Leader Demeanor?

Managing strong emotions is one of the first steps to becoming a great leader. To better understand the type of leader you are, you must ask yourself: How emotional am I?

People who experience their emotions — happiness, sadness, fear, or anger — strongly are said to have high emotional intelligence. They experience situations intensely, feel passion for causes, examine themselves, and even feel another person’s highs and lows. Others are innately even-keeled. They are seen as stable and consistent, possessing an inner steadiness that lets them move through life less rattled. Neither is inherently better than the other, but growing as a leader for your company involves harnessing both – choosing your leader demeanor or how you respond to strong emotions.

One strength comes from your ability to recognize how much you and your team members are governed by emotions. The more you examine your emotional responses, the better you can lead your company. Likewise, understanding how emotions drive your employees will help you tap into their strengths and navigate challenging situations.

Training yourself to recognize emotions can be like a superpower. It helps you infer information about what someone is thinking or feeling. You can pick up on cues from their facial expressions or how little they’re talking. Identifying and channeling passion into performance is only half the job. A leader must also provide consistency and an even temperament. Experiencing emotions is good, but letting them overwhelm you will derail your company.

Three Keys to Survival to Help You Manage Strong Emotions

Survival Tip No. 1: Focus your team on routines and responsibilities. This will provide them with a sense of normalcy. Routines put people at ease by giving them a focus.

What types of routines could you establish for your employees?

Survival Tip No 2: Communicate that a goal delay is not a disaster. Your leader demeanor and steadiness are critical during times of turbulence and change. Having a growth mindset reminds you that setbacks are only temporary. Failures are learning opportunities.

What message does your demeanor during a setback send to your employees?

Survival Tip 3: Do not lose sight of your character when you’re feeling a loss of control. There is a reason you became an entrepreneur and a reason why people believe in you. Show up as your best self.

Focus your team on the mission at hand and the end goal. When they are weary, stressed, frustrated, or confused, lead them and guide them. Celebrate everyday success.

How do you maintain your character when you’re feeling a loss of control?

Lauren Williams, Founder & Principle Consultant

Lauren Williams utilizes her 20 years of expertise in the HR field to support companies by improving and enhancing their people skills/operations, maximizing their full potential. With care and passion, she focuses intently on the employee experience and how to leverage a solid community-based company culture that encourages organic employee engagement, retention, and empowerment.