Emotional Boss

Emotional Boss overview…

The emotional boss is an emotional roller coaster to work with or be around.

The ’emotional shit’ is volatile, one minute happy as Larry, the next they’re the Devil incarnate! You simply don’t know what you will find when they walk through the office door in the morning.

Neurotic through and through, and will let you see the minutiae of every emotional travail. Manic highs are quickly accompanied by deep lows, they are typically unstable and difficult to work with. Working under an emotional boss can frequently feel exhausting, you are as much a counsellor as you are a colleague.

Signs to look for with an emotional boss…

• Difficulty in gauging the person’s emotional state of mind
• Wild mood swings, accompanied by a lack of control and concern over who is on the receiving end
• Can feel like your best friend one minute, then your worst nightmare the next
• Genuine lack of filter over emotions. The appropriateness of their emotional response to situations will frequently be lacking
• Akin to working with a child
• You spend as much time (or less) ‘talking’ through their hectic personal lives as you do discussing work.

Emotional boss survival tips…

• Displaying emotion in the workplace is not a bad thing, provided it is commensurate to the scenario. Avoid becoming embroiled in areas that stray into counselling.
• Give an emotional boss some space if you notice their mood is not conducive to an effective conversation – pick your timing and choose your battles
• Remain calm and consistent throughout your interactions, it will help to  create a sense of stability
• Find means of making them aware of their emotional volatility, if you feel uncomfortable having such a conversation face-to-face, a 360-degree feedback process can help