Emotional Flexibility In The Air Force

The one concept I found to be the most important from the Module 5 lesson is the emotional flexibility concept. The reason why this concept is the most important to me is because people experience change every day in their jobs, and emotional flexibility is needed to deal with these changes. Whether it’s a supervisor telling their Airman they need to work extended hours, or Headquarters Air Force pushing a new initiative that will affect everyone, there is an emotional reaction happening.
An implication of not applying emotional flexibility is that it can appear that you do not care about people or their concerns. As a leader, it is important to acknowledge these emotions so you can talk about the issue with your Airman, to let them know that you’re listening. This gives you the opportunity to address their concerns and try to help them understand the reason for the change. This may also help their emotional state, and help get them focused back on more important things. …show more content…
For example, if I have a new Airman who is new to the Air Force they may be having a hard time being away from home for the first time. Enlisting in the Air Force and leaving everything you have ever known is a big change for an individual. I would first listen to their concerns to try and get a better idea of what they are feeling. I would then let them know that it is normal to feel sad or have fear when you move away from home, and I would then talk to them about my own experience and how I felt going through the same experience. I would then suggest they talk to a peer about their experience and how they were able to cope with similar emotions. Everyone in the military goes through this process so they are a lot of people they can communicate with to get