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Section 9 – Working in Teams
Self-Management.
Once you have determined what triggers various
emotions within yourself, you can start utilizing techniques to control them.
You cannot always control what makes you feel a certain way, but you can
always control how you respond to it. Self-management enables you to
react appropriately. It means learning to control outbursts, disagreeing
respectfully, and avoiding activities that undermine yourself, such as self-pity
or panic. Before responding to a negative email, count to 10 or breathe
deeply. If a co-worker makes you angry, take a walk outside. Sunshine
stimulates endorphins in your brain that affect your mood. If you are
frustrated, try exercising. Making a slight change to your physical
environment, can dramatically impact how you deal with your emotions. The
bottom line is to turn emotions that feel overwhelming into something positive.
Motivation.
When used in the context of emotional intelligence,
motivation means having an intense, internal desire to complete
something. It does not come from an external promise of a reward, like
a raise or promotion. Since motivation comes from within, you must
assess your values in order to select activities that will motivate you.
Write the answers to some basic formational questions: What are my
values? What is important to me? Am I currently doing any activities that
are contrary to my values? What do I want to accomplish in my life? A
person that is motivated to improve their career will go back to school,
apply for new jobs, or work towards a promotion. A person that is
motivated to save the planet may recycle or alter their lifestyle to leave
a smaller carbon footprint. People that understand the root of
motivation can use this knowledge to bring out the best in themselves
and their team members.
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