Emotions In The Workplace

Emotions are by definition feelings in response or expectation to an object or event (Clegg, Kornberger and Pitsis, 2008). In the workplace, as in all aspects, emotions may serve to motivate, organize, direct and activate behaviours, but also may be disruptive to the other appropriate work-related and social behaviours (Payne and Cooper, 2004). Organizational communication is highly relevant to develop and maintain a successful structure within. There are often a lot of people working in an organization, and they are all different individuals. In many ways the people and their individuality is what makes the organization. Communication internally in an organization has become reliable on technology. Email, SMS and Skype has become important …show more content…
If an organisational manager uses his/hers emotional intelligence at work, it could benefit the relationship between the manager and the employee. The most effective bosses are those who have the ability to sense how their employees feel about their work situation and to intervene effectively when those employees begin to feel discouraged or dissatisfied (Wiley, Jossey Bass, Pfeiffer, Lasser, Capstone, 2001). To understand emotional intelligence as a term, it can be easier by dividing. It is divided into two main areas – personal intelligence and interpersonal intelligence (The Guardian [online], 10.2.2012). Personal intelligence includes aspects such as knowing what you want, and motivating yourself to achieve goals. In the article by The Guardian it says that one have to be in control of this before one can achieve interpersonal intelligence. This includes knowing what others want, leading and managing others, helping motivate others (The Guardian [online], 10.2.2012). Additionally, it should be pointed out that emotional intelligence is distinct from predispositions to experience certain kinds of emotions captured by the personality traits of positive and negative affectivity (George, 2000). There are at least four major aspects of emotional intelligence: the appraisal and expression of emotion, the use of emotion to enhance cognitive process and decision making, knowledge about emotions and …show more content…
The company started off as an online retailer of shoes, but have now grown into multi-million-dollar business that puts employee engagement through fun high on its agenda (Hazelton, 2014). By engaging staff with fun activities as well as a “relaxed” work environment the staff at Zappos seems happy with this way of working. On the other hand this way of running an organisation might not suit everyone. This work culture demands that individuals are very extroverted. Employees at Zappos might feel that it is not acceptable to act and behave based on negative emotions, which at times can be impossible in a human life, as life has its ups and downs. The casual work attire might make employees feel that the organisation at times are to driven by fun and to little by professionalism. Everyone has to interact with each other in an organisation, both negative and positive emotions occur consistently. An employee at Zappos might feel that there is less room for frustration and “negative” emotions in general. However, There is compelling evidence that positive emotions are not just the result of well-being, but can also drive success and well-being (Hazelton, 2014). The culture at Zappos is very different, but based on the evidence stated earlier one can think that this way of working might be a new revolutionary way to reach goals and reach new heights as an