Emotional discomfort is an unpleasant feeling that can arise for various reasons such as stress, anxiety, frustration, guilt, shame, embarrassment, or fear. In many workplaces, there are different levels of management where employees have to interact with their superiors and coworkers. These social hierarchies create pressure to suppress feelings and act accordingly to maintain good relations with colleagues.
If a manager has to reprimand someone for misconduct or give negative feedback, they might be concerned about how it will affect the relationship between them. This can lead to emotional discomfort, which can manifest in several ways like physical tension, sleeplessness, irritability, or difficulty concentrating.
It's crucial to openly express these emotions instead of bottling them up to avoid health problems related to prolonged stress.
Hierarchical pressures make it challenging to express emotional discomfort openly since it could impact one's reputation or even job security. Some managers may view it as a sign of weakness or vulnerability, while others feel responsible for maintaining a professional atmosphere. Even when trying to convey empathy towards subordinates, some managers may fear appearing too sympathetic or losing credibility. Therefore, they resort to pretending nothing is wrong or using indirect methods like sarcasm or humor, which can confuse the other person. Such behaviors can also increase feelings of isolation and resentment among team members who don't understand why their concerns aren't taken seriously.
Another factor that influences the ability to express emotional discomfort openly is organizational culture. Workplaces where open communication is encouraged foster trust, respect, and collaboration. Employees can share their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment or retaliation, leading to better problem-solving and innovation. In contrast, those with a more hierarchical culture tend to repress emotions and conform to norms set by leaders. It's common for people to suppress any negative sentiments to appear competent and dedicated. Consequently, employees become overworked and stressed out, affecting productivity and mental health.
How do hierarchical pressures influence the ability to express emotional discomfort openly?
The perception of hierarchy plays an important role in how people express their emotions at work. When individuals perceive themselves as lower on the organizational hierarchy, they may feel more comfortable being emotionally expressive because there is less pressure to maintain professionalism. This can lead them to be more open about negative feelings such as frustration or disappointment with colleagues or supervisors.