Dealing with Emotions

🥹 😡 😞 😆 😒 😮‍💨 😬 😊 "I messed up the presentation. I can't stop thinking about it." "I'm embarrassed by what I said." "I feel like I've failed."

When emotions show up in a conversation, many listeners might become uncomfortable and immediately jump in with, "Don't worry, it wasn't that bad," or "You'll do better next time." While well-intentioned, these responses can sometimes skip over what the person is actually experiencing. Before people can move forward, they often need their emotions to be seen.

✨ As coaches, leaders, parents, or friends, our role isn't to manage someone else's emotions. Sometimes, simply recognising and validating what they're feeling is the most helpful thing we can do. A simple response such as, "It sounds like you're feeling quite hurt and frustrated by what happened," or "You sound really disappointed in yourself," can be more powerful than any advice. No fixing. No analysing. No solutions. When emotions are accepted rather than pushed aside, people are more likely to regain perspective, think clearly, and find their own way forward.

When was the last time someone truly acknowledged how you were feeling? What impact did that have?