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Chaos, Emotions and Accountability

November 15, 2023
Accountability, Career Development, Emotional Intelligence, Learning, Virtual Work
HRDQ-U Ideas for Training

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As we continue to adapt reluctantly to the changing virus, work, school, weather and whatever else is coming next (Brood X Giant Cicadas?), we keep ensuring ourselves that it is almost over. I have also said that for over 14 months. The chaos is beyond our control, but we are responsible for our emotions and accountability.

Your emotions are watching you closely in our current times. Emotions trigger your brain’s first alarm, whether negative or positive. All of us have had the feeling that something is wrong, but you don’t yet know how to define it. You can learn to notice that your body is changing and then make choices about what is happening and how you will react before it’s too late. Unfortunately, people who have not grown their emotional muscles often react quickly and defensively, losing control of their energy.

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webinar from HRDQ-U

Don’t miss this intriguing webinar from HRDQ-U

In the Chaos, Stick with EQ and Accountability

This reaction is where the trouble begins. As soon as you start to get upset, your brain quickly tries to protect you. All the other parts of your brain go to the back burner, and you are left with FIGHT, FLIGHT and FREEZE. These are the only emotions that you can use once you are riled up. It is important to practice and grow your ability to NOTICE and CHOOSE. Learning this gives you a strong tool to make the choice of how to proceed. Positive emotions can be a launching pad for driving growth through individual accountability.

With people working in many different places, leaders may find it confusing to keep track of what work is being done including the priority of the work. This issue is not just about watching out for people avoiding work, but there are also issues for people working too much and burning out. Leaders and individuals must encourage accountability and continue to create ongoing discussions that repair the many ways that have pivoted because of the shutdown.

In closing, one of my favorite quotes by Marshall McLuhan:

“The future masters of technology will have to be light-hearted and intelligent. The machine easily masters the grim and the dumb.”

As you continue moving through chaos, emotions and accountability, you can be the Master of Technology. Remember and reuse the techniques that you have in your virtual pocket already and keep your eyes open for new variations and ideas that can grow your EQ and behave with accountability.

I’d love to hear from you about your favorite crazy pivots. I’ll share all of these with anyone who wants to laugh or cry and keep right on going forward. Enjoy!

Accountability, Career Development, Emotional Intelligence, Learning, Virtual Work

Author

Lou Russell

Lou Russell, the CEO and Duchess of RMA, is an executive consultant, popular speaker, and respected author whose passion is to create growth in companies by guiding the growth of their people. In her speaking, training, and writing, she draws on 30 years of experience helping organizations to achieve their full potential. Lou is the author of seven popular books, such as IT Leadership Alchemy, 10 Steps to Successful Project Management, Talent GPS, Leadership Training, Training Triage, and Managing Projects. She has spoken at more than 300 conferences, including ATD International, the ELearning Guild and the Society of Information Management (SIM). Lou has an “expired” B.S. from Purdue in Computer Science and an M.S. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. She has been playing in the world of training for over 20 years.

Lou is the author of Rocket: The Project Management Game, found at HRDQ. Connect with Lou on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at www.moserit.com.

Recommended Webinar

In the Chaos, Stick with EQ and Accountability

Join author, EQ, and project management expert Lou Russell for an hour-long session that can help anyone in your organization to get started and stay on track. She’ll discuss how you can combine EQ and Accountability to get your life back, address common EQ stumbling blocks, and offer a practical formula for project success.

Related Learning

The Accountability Experience helps organizations create crystal-clear clarity about what’s expected to happen, how, and when. Managers and supervisors learn to encourage employee accountability at all levels, leading to increased engagement and a decrease in the gap between expectation and delivery.

Accountability at Work leads participants through the concept and practices of accountability in two respects—personal and mutual accountability. The program focuses on encouraging actions that are consistent with behavior-related expectations and provides insight into taking actions that are consistent with task-related expectations.

Emotional Intelligence: A Scientifically Proven Method for Developing the Skills of Success helps you understand that emotional intelligence is recognizing your triggers and knowing when and how to use them in a way that enables you to deal with stressors and also develop strong connections with coworkers.