12/09/2025
This manager was a rising star in the company — sharp, driven, and always delivering results.
But over the last few months, something had changed.
This manager was snapping at the team.... result?
Deadlines started slipping....
This manager's usual spark was missing.
One day, after a tense meeting, this manager stormed into the elevator, hit the close button, and just… exhaled.
While looking at the reflection in the mirror, the manager thought,
"Why am I so angry all the time?
What’s wrong with everyone lately?"
The manager took a looong pause...and questioned self...
"What if it’s not about them?
What am I really feeling?"
The manager allowed self to sit with the discomfort.
After a moment, a wave of realization whispered .....It wasn’t anger.....It was exhaustion...disappointment...loneliness from constantly being the strong one... the one who had no space to fall apart.
That one moment of emotional self-awareness changed the trajectory.
The manager didn’t quit the job.
The manager didn’t fire anyone.
The manager didn’t need a vacation.
The manager simply started to be aware each day
“What am I really feeling right now?”
“What needs my attention — not from others, but from me?”
Over time, the leadership became softer but more powerful.
The team reconnected with the manager.
The manager's decisions became clearer as they weren’t clouded by unexamined emotion.....the magic is Emotional Self-Awareness.
Emotional Self-Awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions as they arise, while they’re happening, and how they impact your thoughts and hence decisions and behavior.
It’s not just knowing that you’re sad or angry...it’s understanding what exactly you’re feeling...why you’re feeling it...how is this feeling affecting your actions, tone, and choices and due to this, are your reactions truly aligned with your values?
Next time when you experience an emotion...hold for a moment and reflect ...this might be a game changer for you as well...