The sports world may have room for emotion, but is there any room for emotion in the boardroom? Many leaders would say there is not and, furthermore, there should not be. Business decisions need to be carefully considered, and many would probably agree that the more reasoning and rationality involved the better.
Others feel that emotions play a role, sometimes an integral or equal role, in business. Which type of manager,are you most like, Manager A or Manager B? Many managers we have worked with have the characteristics of Manager A. Indeed, our Manager A clients often tell us that their job is to make optimal decisions by considering all the critical data in an orderly and logical fashion. After all, managers (and leaders) are charged with making good decisions. However, making good decisions and being an effective manager of self and others cannot—and does not—happen in the absence of emotion. Emotions are at work, and they work with and for us, as we’ll see in the Do Emotions in the Workplace Matter.
Comparison of Managing Styles.
|
Manager A |
Manager B |
|---|---|
|
I try to keep emotions at arm’s length. |
I try to be aware of my emotions. |
|
Emotions are not important at work. |
Emotions are important. |
|
Emotions should not influence me. |
My emotions influence me. |
|
Emotions need to be isolated at work. |
Emotions should be part of work. |