Archive for the ‘anger’ Category

Intuitively, we know that bosses who demean their employees have a damaging effect on employees. This article highlights some research that appears to confirm our intuition. The study certainly shows that rude behavior has an effect on productivity and creativity. (You could infer, although this wasn’t studied, that there is also an effect on the organization’s bottom line).

Leadership can be very hard. It is full of frustration, fear, and anger. All of these emotions can be responsible for what is known as an “amygdala hijack”, sending the leader into a rage. Such displays can, at best, be counter-productive. At worst, they can bring an organization to it’s knees. Employees become fearful, refuse to speak up and engage. Leaders who wish to change the eruptive reaction may find the following interesting:

“Meditation (based on studies) has been found to be a way to develop the pre-frontal cortex. Meditation strengthens this regulation part of the brain so you can build capacity to control amygdala hijacks, and when we meet with stress. The story of the experiment with a meditative monk and the confrontational professor is worth listening to. The monk was so calm in the debate that he actually calmed down the professor (both were wired for physiological measurement). So, if we can develop and strengthen the controlling section (left side) of the Pre-Frontal Cortex through meditation?€”we can spread calm and rationality.” from Survival Leadership blog in describing a story told by Daniel Goleman, author of books on social psychology and emotional intelligence.