Emotional Expression and Emotional Intelligence

What is Emotional Expression?

Emotional expression refers to the outward display or communication of one's emotions. It involves conveying feelings, thoughts, and reactions through various means, such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and verbal communication.

Emotions are a natural part of human interaction, including in the workplace, and being comfortable with emotional expression allows you to communicate your thoughts, concerns, and needs more effectively. When you can openly express your emotions, it fosters clearer and more authentic communication, leading to better understanding and collaboration.

Why is Emotional Expression an Important Element of Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to perceive, understand, and effectively manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It involves being aware of emotions, recognising their impact, and using that awareness to guide thinking and behaviour.

Emotional expression is a crucial element of emotional intelligence because it influences how we communicate our emotions, needs, and concerns to others, which, in turn, affects how others respond and relate to us.

Case Study - CEO

When Sophia assumed the role of CEO at a sustainable technology company, she recognised that her role extended beyond strategy and operations – it was about fostering a deep connection with employees to drive innovation and growth.

Sophia faced the challenge of leading her team through a pivotal phase of expansion into global markets. To gain buy-in for her ambitious plans, she needed to inspire and engage her diverse workforce across different locations, so she employed an emotional leadership strategy to connect with her employees on a personal level and rally their support for the company's expansion efforts.

1. Sophia regularly emphasised the company's mission to create a sustainable future. She related it to her personal journey, expressing her lifelong commitment to environmental causes. This shared value system created a sense of purpose that resonated with employees.
2. She conducted town hall-style meetings, where she shared stories about the positive impact the company's technologies had on real communities and ecosystems. These stories showcased the tangible results of their work and stirred emotional connections.
3. Sophia encouraged open and honest discussions with employees. She addressed their concerns, listened to their suggestions, and showed genuine empathy for their challenges, fostering trust and collaboration.
4. Finally, Sophia made it a point to publicly recognise individual and team achievements. She celebrated milestones and successes, making employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Sophia's emotional leadership approach yielded remarkable results. Her emphasis on shared values and meaningful impact fostered a deeper emotional connection between employees and the company's mission, resulting in heightened engagement. The open dialogues and encouragement of suggestions led to increased innovation and creativity among employees who felt empowered to contribute their ideas.

Despite geographical distances, Sophia's emotional storytelling and commitment created a sense of unity among employees spread across different regions and, by recognising and celebrating employees' contributions, Sophia built a culture of loyalty, making employees more committed to the company's success.

Harnessing the Power of Emotional Expression for Authentic Leadership

Authentic leaders, driven by their commitment to becoming the best version of themselves for their team, harness the power of emotional expression to foster genuine connection and secure buy-in from their teams. As shown the example of Sophia above, these leaders recognise the significance of openly sharing their emotions to create an environment of trust and transparency.

By expressing their feelings about both challenges and triumphs, authentic leaders establish a relatable and approachable persona that resonates with their team's own experiences, enabling them to forge deeper connections.

Emotional literacy serves as a tool for leaders to demonstrate empathy and understanding. By openly acknowledging the emotional ups and downs that accompany any journey, they create a safe space for team members to express their concerns and aspirations.

This level of vulnerability cultivates a sense of camaraderie, as individuals feel valued and heard, which means team members are more likely to align themselves with the leader's vision and goals, as they recognise the leader's shared emotional investment and genuine concern for their well-being.

When leaders articulate their passion for the organisation's mission and values, their emotions become contagious. The genuine excitement and dedication they convey are infectious, inspiring others to share in the collective aspiration. By openly celebrating achievements and expressing determination in the face of challenges, authentic leaders create an atmosphere where individuals are not just passive participants but active contributors who are emotionally invested in the shared journey.

Emotional Literacy

Being emotionally literate means being able to use emotional data as information, rather than directives for action. In other words, you can process and understand emotions without necessarily being compelled to react or act based solely on those emotions.

Instead, you can take a step back to analyse the emotional data and evaluate the situation rationally, allowing you to make more informed decisions. For instance, if you're in a tense discussion, recognising the frustration in the other party's tone might suggest that it's a good time to pause and address their concerns before proceeding.

Emotional literacy enables you to recognise emotions, by tuning into subtle emotional cues, and understand that these emotions convey valuable information about you and others.

Viewing emotions as data enables you to be more mindful of how your emotions (through your words, tone, body language and facial expressions) will be perceived and received. It also enhances your ability to grasp other people’s emotional states, empathise with them and respond thoughtfully and deliberately.

Emotional Literacy Self-Assessment

Assessing your level of emotional literacy can help you understand how effectively you communicate and share your emotions with others.

To assess your emotional literacy, read the following statements and make a note of whether you agree or disagree with each one. As you answer these questions, try to be honest and reflective.

1. I can identify the emotions I am experiencing in different situations and can label them.
2. I am open about my feelings.
3. I am comfortable with expressing both my positive and negative emotions. 
4. During times of stress or conflict, I can effectively communicate my needs and concerns.
5. I am aware of and use my body language and facial expressions to convey my emotions effectively.
6. In situations where my emotions differ from those of the people around me, I am sensitive to their reactions and adjust my communication accordingly.
7. I can express my emotions without judgment or criticism of others.
8. I actively listen to others when they express their emotions.
9. In situations where others express emotions that make me uncomfortable or trigger my own emotions, I can manage my reactions constructively.
10. I seek support and understanding from others when I experience strong emotions.

How many of the statements did you agree with?

Low Score (0-3):

It seems that you might find expressing your emotions a bit challenging. Remember that acknowledging and sharing your feelings can be a healthy way to connect with others and cope with various situations. Consider working on becoming more comfortable with identifying and discussing your emotions. Practice open communication, both in positive and negative circumstances and gradually work on recognising the emotions you experience. Developing these skills could greatly enhance your emotional well-being and relationships. We’ve provided some activities to help you build your emotional expression muscles below.

Average Score (4-6):

Your emotional expression is fairly balanced, but there's room for growth. You appear to be open to sharing your feelings to some extent, and you're able to communicate your emotions effectively in certain situations. To improve, focus on becoming more consistent in recognising and addressing your emotions, especially during times of stress or conflict. Work on active listening when others express their feelings and continue refining your ability to manage your reactions when faced with uncomfortable emotions. With a bit more practice, you can enhance your emotional expression and strengthen your connections with others. We’ve provided some activities to help you build your emotional expression muscles below.

High Score (7-10):

Congratulations! Your emotional expression skills are quite advanced. You show a strong ability to understand, label, and share your emotions openly. You’re adept at communicating during stressful situations and being attuned to the feelings of others. Your capacity to manage your reactions even when confronted with challenging emotions is a valuable trait. Continue to leverage your skills in active listening and seeking support when needed. Your well-rounded emotional expression is likely contributing to healthier relationships and effective communication. Keep up the great work!

Building Your Emotional Expression Muscles

Leaders who can express their emotions appropriately and empathise with their team members are more likely to inspire trust, motivate others, and lead with authenticity.

Here are some practical steps you can take to develop your emotional expression over time:

Self-Reflection

Take time to reflect on your own emotions and try to identify what you are feeling in various situations. Pay attention to physical sensations and thoughts associated with different emotions. Consider what your body language might be inadvertently ‘telling’ other people.

Emotion Labelling

Practice putting into words your emotions as well as checking with others as to what emotion you are reading off them.

• “I have noticed that I am feeling disappointed with the way this process works…”
• “I get the sense that you are frustrated that we can’t get a quicker decision for this project outcome. Is that how you are feeling?”

Expand Your Emotional Vocabulary

We can often get trapped in the “sad”, “mad”, “glad” triad when labelling emotions. Consider using the Emotional Culture Deck or John Gottman’s feeling wheel to extend your range of labels for emotions.

• Glad - satisfied, excited, encouraged, enthusiastic, cheerful, pleased, joyful, playful…
• Sad - upset, reluctant, discouraged, disappointed, hurt, bored, ashamed…
• Mad - annoyed, frustrated, dissatisfied, critical, furious, intimidated, sceptical…

How Neural Networks can help you develop your emotional expression

Since 2000, Neural Networks has been helping individuals and organisations build their emotional intelligence skills. As one of Australia’s leading professional development providers, we deliver innovative learning development programs in emotional intelligence,  leadership, sales, customer service and culture change.