Balancing Team Dynamics with Emotional Sensitivity

I've been in countless tense team moments where emotions threatened to derail everything. The physiological response is real—racing heart, flushed face, mind suddenly blank. What I've learned is that our brains literally work differently when emotions take over. The amygdala (the ancient survival center) floods our system with stress hormones, and suddenly our prefrontal cortex—where all our thoughtful leadership skills live—goes offline. My most effective technique for these moments is incredibly simple yet powerful: 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. When I notice tension rising (in myself or others), I might say: "I'm noticing I'm feeling defensive right now, and need a moment to gather my thoughts." "It seems like emotions are running high. Let's pause and take a deep breath together." This isn't about suppressing feelings—it's about acknowledging them so they don't control the conversation. Neuroscience confirms that simply naming emotions reduces their intensity. Most importantly, this practice models what emotional intelligence looks like in action, showing your team that emotions aren't something to fear or avoid, but natural responses we can work with constructively. What's your go-to technique for managing emotions during challenging team moments? Share your practice. P.S. If you’re a leader, I recommend checking out my free upcoming challenge: The Resilient Leader: 28 Days to Thrive in Uncertainty  https://lnkd.in/gxBnKQ8n #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamDynamics #DifficultConversations #LeadershipSkills #WorkplaceWellness

"I don't have time for feelings right now." A burned-out CEO told me this last week. Three months later? His top performers were updating their resumes. 🚩 Here's the reality: Emotional intelligence isn't a soft skill. It's your best insurance against team burnout. The hidden cost of low EQ leadership: • Missing early warning signs • Creating psychological unsafety • Driving quiet quitting • Losing your best people But here's what emotionally intelligent leaders do differently: 1. They Read the Room 📊 ↳ Notice energy shifts ↳ Spot burnout before breakdown ↳ Actually listen (not just wait to talk) 2. They Make It Safe to Struggle 🛡️ ↳ Share their own challenges ↳ Normalize mental health breaks ↳ Create judgment-free zones 3. They Set Emotional Boundaries ⚡ ↳ Respect after-hours ↳ Model work-life balance ↳ Give permission to disconnect 4. They Lead with Empathy 🤝 ↳ Ask "How are you managing?" ↳ Adjust workload proactively ↳ Make support accessible The truth? Your IQ might get you the corner office. But your EQ will determine how long your team stays. What's your best tip for leading with emotional intelligence? Share below 👇 --- 🔔 Follow Sharon Grossman for more leadership strategies ♻️ Share if you believe in human-first leadership

People will not stay where they are unappreciated. Low respect ends in high turnover. Emotional intelligence isn't just a 'soft skill.' It's your competitive advantage. Here are 6 ways to lead with it👇 1) Self-Awareness ↳ Set a 2-minute timer to name 3 emotions you felt today ↳ Ask a peer: “How do I show up under pressure?” 2) Self-Regulation ↳ Pause 6 seconds before reacting when triggered ↳ Say: “I’m noticing I feel...” to respond with intention 3) Motivation ↳ Remind your team why the work matters ↳ Celebrate progress, not just outcomes 4) Empathy ↳ Ask: “How’s this affecting you?” and actually listen ↳ Mirror back emotions: “It sounds like you’re feeling...” 5) Social Skills ↳ Start meetings with: “In one word, how are you?” ↳ End with: “What support would help you next?” 6) EQ in Action ↳ Team tension? Acknowledge both sides, name the issue. ↳ Change pushback? Validate issues, co-create next steps. Too many leaders mistake kindness for weakness. But the best leaders know: Empathy drives results. Which EQ habit are you strengthening this week? ♻️ Repost to help more managers lead with clarity—not control. And follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

You can fake confidence. You can fake expertise. But you can’t fake emotional intelligence. Your ability to manage emotions, build trust, and read the room determines whether your team thrives or disengages. Here are 4 Emotional Intelligence Skills Your Team Needs From You: 1️⃣ Self-Awareness: Do You See How You Affect Others? ↳ Intent doesn’t matter if your impact is negative. High EQ Manager: ↳ "I dropped the ball on this one. That’s on me. Let’s fix it.” ✅ Owns mistakes instead of shifting blame. Low EQ Manager: ↳ "I never got a reminder. How was I supposed to know?” ❌ Deflects accountability and damages trust. 2️⃣ Self-Management: How You Handle Stress & Pressure ↳ Stress is contagious. Lead with composure. High EQ Manager: ↳ "This deadline is tight. Let’s review priorities." ✅ Keeps focus, explores options before escalating. Low EQ Manager: ↳ "We all have to make sacrifices. Just push through.” ❌ Adds pressure without offering support or adjustments. 3️⃣ Social Awareness: How You Read the Room ↳ Silence isn’t agreement. Listen to what's unspoken. High EQ Manager: ↳ "You’ve been quiet in meetings. What’s on your mind?” ✅ Notices shifts in team energy and morale. Low EQ Manager: ↳ "If no one’s speaking up, I assume we’re good.” ❌ Ignores disengagement, misses red flags. 4️⃣ Relationship Management: How You Build & Break Trust ↳ Trust built on recognition, not just correction. High EQ Manager: ↳ "You handled that situation well. Great job!" ✅ Gives recognition often, builds team confidence. Low EQ Manager: ↳ "Let’s talk about what could’ve been better." ❌ Immediately shifts to criticism, ignoring achievements. A deadline is forgotten. A decision fades. A task is replaced. But the way you made people feel? That lasts. Lead in a way that people remember for the right reasons. What’s a leadership moment you still think about today? ________________ ♻️ Repost if you’ve seen both types of leaders. 🔔 Follow (Justin Hills) for insights on leadership & EQ.