How to Handle Your Emotions at Work | Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy

Emotion Relevance

Understanding the distinction between relevant and irrelevant emotions is crucial for effective decision-making. Liz Fosslien explains that relevant emotions are those that provide valuable insights into the decision at hand, such as feeling excitement about a job offer that aligns with one's subconscious desires. Conversely, irrelevant emotions, like grumpiness from lack of sleep, should be regulated to avoid skewing decisions 1.

If I'm thinking about two job offers and one of them fills me with dread when I imagine myself doing it and the other fills me with excitement and a sense of lightness, that's a really important emotion to listen to.

--- Liz Fosslien

By recognizing and managing these emotions, individuals can make more informed choices that align with their true preferences.

   

Decision Balance

Balancing emotion and logic is essential in high-stakes decisions like hiring and firing. Mollie West Duffy emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on gut feelings, as these can introduce biases into the decision-making process 2. Structured processes, such as objective tests and blind evaluations, help mitigate these biases. Dan Harris notes that while emotions should not be entirely dismissed, they must be carefully managed to avoid their biased effects 3.

We cannot rule out emotions and knowing that no matter what, our emotions are going to come into whatever decision we're making.

--- Mollie West Duffy

This approach ensures that decisions are based on qualifications and skills rather than emotional biases.