Stop Emotions from Eroding Your Professionalism

At work, we encounter many instances where our professionalism gets challenged. There is always that person whom we are not enthused to work with for reasons such as mutual dislike, jealousy, or simply getting on each other’s nerves for reasons we can’t explain. Putting all these emotions behind you is not easy, but it’s necessary that we always display professionalism.

There will be times when work gets too stressful. With deadlines that we have to meet and meetings that we have to attend to, we can just feel our patience slowly thinning out. When this happens, we are prone to become more emotional towards dealing with those we work with. As a personal brand or business, we can never let emotions that will rouse trouble to get in our way. Everything that we do and say reflects on our brand and business. If we maintain a professional attitude when necessary, we avoid bad brand reputation.

Letting our emotions loose at work can also decrease productivity and create an unpleasant work environment. It’s not just the two of you who gets affected, but even those who are working around you. Others might get involved even when they don’t want to.

How then do we prevent our emotions from getting in the way of work and maintaining professionalism?

Here are some things that you can do:

Get the right mindset – when you know that you are going to talk or need something from that person you don’t get along with, prepare your mind for it. Imagine the worst scenarios over and over, and that whatever happens, you will not let your emotions get in the way. Instead, focus on the things that will be best for the job. If the other person lets an unprofessional comment slip, be the bigger man and disregard it. Expecting the worst thing that the other person can do to you at work will make it easier for you to handle your emotions.

Instead of thinking - the customer is always right; ask yourself – am I attracting and selecting the right customers– you can choose who your customers are. Here’s where planning is key.  Is your messaging and marketing speaking to that ideal target customer?  If you’re getting many customers who are driving you crazy, then look at your messaging and marketing. What are you doing or saying that’s attracting them?

Settle misunderstandings amongst yourselves – when you feel that things are about to get out of hand, try to calm down and find a way to settle your misunderstanding. This is going to be for the good of your work environment. Talk in private. If there’s no chance for the two of you to become friends, at least maintain a good working relationship. If the two of you want to keep working together, you both have to be professional about it. It’s not easy, but someone has to show that they are willing to maintain a professional working relationship with the other.

Find ways to release some of that bottled up emotion – if you want to maintain calmness and professionalism, you have to find a way to let your emotions out the right way. We are only human and the emotions that we keep to ourselves always find a way out. We don’t want it to come out when we are stressed or tired, because this may cause a situation that can quickly spiral out of our control.

Right now – stop and think of five things that you enjoy doing and know will help you “blow off steam” so that you are in the right frame of mind to get centered again.

It’s always important to maintain professionalism although it can be tough.  There are emotions and then emotionally charged words that can fuel the fire.  Words like “manipulate” or phrases like “insult to my intelligence” are like pouring pure gasoline onto any situation.  Unless you’re ready to just “burn that bridge” with someone – then carefully consider and refrain using emotionally charged words and phrases.