Emotions play a crucial role in shaping our behavior and decision-making process. It is said that humans experience eight basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, contempt, excitement, and embarrassment.
There are many situations where people suppress their feelings to maintain social acceptance or for professional performance. Emotional suppression means hiding one's true feelings, which can be beneficial or detrimental depending upon the situation. This article discusses the adaptive functions of emotional suppression and its impact on sustaining professional performance.
The ability to control and regulate one's emotions is necessary for both personal and professional life. People must learn how to express their thoughts and ideas while managing their emotions effectively. If they cannot do so, it may lead to negative outcomes like unprofessionalism, loss of productivity, and failure in achieving goals.
Suppose a manager is angry about his team members' mistakes but holds back his anger. In this case, he might lose trust from his colleagues and create a hostile work environment. On the other hand, if a teacher loses her temper during a classroom lecture, she will fail to convey the message and may lose credibility among students. In both cases, individuals must recognize their emotions and manage them appropriately.
When people suppress their emotions, they often feel stress and anxiety because they have to hide their true feelings. They might even suffer from depression or mental illness due to long-term suppression.
This phenomenon also has some benefits when used correctly. Emotional suppression can help individuals perform better at work by improving focus, concentration, problem-solving skills, creativity, and decision making. When an individual is not distracted by intense emotions, they can better analyze situations and find solutions quickly.
It helps individuals stay calm under pressure, which can enhance their professional performance.
Emotional suppression is necessary sometimes; however, excessive suppression can lead to negative consequences. To be successful in professional settings, individuals need to know how to balance their emotions and regulate them appropriately. It is important for professionals to understand that controlling their emotions does not mean ignoring or denying them entirely. Rather, they should acknowledge their emotions and channel them into positive actions like problem-solving, creative thinking, and effective communication.
What are the adaptive functions of emotional suppression in sustaining professional performance?
Emotional suppression is a common coping strategy used by individuals who want to avoid displaying their feelings in public settings such as workplaces. This practice is often driven by external pressure from employers who may view expressions of negative emotion as signs of weakness or instability. In some cases, employees may feel that expressing negative emotions could result in repercussions such as disciplinary action or termination.