September 2026 Cultured Reflections, Resilience and a Reset- Session 3/ Rashea@LLO2 Academy

The Dangers of Being an Overly Emotional Leader

Emotions as a leader and human being are normal. Moreover, to feel and to express our feelings are normal, too. Emotions are navigational stimulants in the human body that elevate our mental and visual awareness in three ways:

.Consciously 

.Subconsciously 

.In the human conscience

Emotions help us to: 

.Sense danger around us.

.Discern others moods and emotions.

.Perceive and choose between practicality or impulse.

.Demonstrate compassion. 

.Be tenacious in difficult situations, circumstances and tasks.

Having emotions are helpful. However, being overly emotional in situations can be harmful in leadership. When you are sensibly guided by your emotions your answers and questions may be direct, and to the point, but they're clear and received without offense. 

However, when you are overly emotional in leadership these leadership mishaps can happen:

.Situations and responses can be misinterpreted. 

.Contention can accelerate. 

.Misunderstandings can hinder productivity and unity.

.Division festers.

.One can be perceived as overly sensitive, antagonizing or heartless.

.Emotional and impulsive decisions are made rather than rational and wise ones. 

.Others can be harmed by others outbursts and insensitivity toward others.

Such emotional barriers can become burdensome. They feel like hurdles to overcome, rather than a finish line to cross or building blocks to build a mutual vision successfully. When a leader or leaders are overly emotional the atmosphere becomes tense. The environment is difficult to work in and employers are difficult to work around.

When you're an overly emotional leader or are dealing with overly emotional leaders, others are influenced to become overly emotional, also. Team members feel forced to choose a side. The attitudes and emotions of overly emotional leaders can make others feel drained, tense or uncomfortable. 

Let's be realistic and honest, leaders want to lead well. They want to be known as good leaders who are making a difference. However, when a leader is behaving irrationally and emotionally all the time, it's difficult for others to genuinely think that about them.

So let's look at characteristics that can influence imbalance in emotional leaders:

.Unresolved personal matters and conflict outside of work.

.Trauma from one's childhood or adolescents.

.Overwhelm with tasks, roles or people.

.Personality type. 

.Social media.

.Misguidance from peers.

.A lack of focus and structure.

.Views and upbringing.

.Insecurities. 

.A lack of guidance, acceptance or support. 

.A lack of identity.

What resources are available to enable healthy emotions in overly emotional leaders:

.A personal relationship with God.

.Guidance from the Holy Spirit and the Bible.

.Self-help books.

.Meditation practices.

.Prayer.

.Counseling.

.A healthy social circle.

.Affirmations.

.Believing you're enough and capable of leading others well, although others say you're not.

.Healthy habits.

.Healthy leisure.

From one leader to another, you can overcome emotional imbalances. Your scientific DNA can create what is needed to level out any bad energy your emotions are creating through these healthy and daily practices. As you grow in leadership the right way, your emotions will level out. You may be direct, but sensible. You may be compassionate, but clear on where you stand and what you expect from yourself and others.

Rashea@LLO2 Academy