Overcoming Discomforts

Leaders learn and grow by being uncomfortable.

What gives you discomfort when you lead?

Avoiding discomfort comes naturally. Discomfort often causes us to put on our armor, protecting us from uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. One way that we can face discomfort is to first understand emotions and why they matter.

Five Reasons Why Understanding Emotions is Important:

Emotions affect our:

ability to pay attention
decision making
relationships
physical and mental health
performance and creativity

from Dr. Marc Brackett and Brené on "Permission to Feel" on the Unlocking Us with Brené Brown Podcast.

Directions:

Use the Core Emotions Chart to the right to Identify up to three emotions that are hard for you and show up in difficult ways at school.

The Core Emotions

Hover to the right-hand corner to open in a new window!

Share:

Share your top three emotions to our group Mentimeter question below:

👉 VOTE HERE

Consider the following questions when thinking about the emotions you chose

When I feel _____________:

Where am I physically feeling this emotion? How is my body responding?
Is there a thought constantly looping in my mind? What's my go-to thought process when feeling this emotion?
What the first thing I want to do? What is the only thing I want to do when feeling this emotion?

💡Questions from Brené Brown's Dare to Lead: Read-Along Companion Workbook

Implications for Leaders:

RAIN: Dealing with Uncomfortable Emotions

Recognize your emotions. Name them.
Allow your emotions to be there. This creates space to make wise decisions.
Investigate your emotions. What is calling for attention?
Non-identify. Loosen your sense of what you think you are feeling. Emotions come and go. You remain steady.

Resources for Later

💡Activity adapted from The Onward Workbook: Daily Activities to Cultivate Your Emotional Resilience and Thrive by Elena Aguilar and the Dare to Lead: Read-Along Companion Workbook by Brené Brown.