COMMUNITIES – By Lola Gershfeld, Psy.D
Emotional connections can transcend divisions
In these extraordinary times, our lives have been profoundly affected on physical, social and psychological levels. As we navigate these challenges, the importance of leadership within our communities has never been more evident.
From the shift to remote work to the uncertainties surrounding business operations, we are all grappling with a range of emotions as we strive to maintain a sense of normalcy and connectedness. Let’s explore the essential role of 21st-century leadership in fostering and nurturing communities during these trying times.
Embracing Emotions as a Unifying Force
Our emotions, often contradictory and ever-changing, reflect the tumultuous nature of the world around us. From anxiety and fear to hope and resilience, we bring a complex emotional landscape to our workplaces and in-person and virtual meetings.
As leaders, recognizing and acknowledging these emotions is the first step toward building stronger connections within our communities.
Emotions are contagious, and by sharing them openly, we can create a sense of unity and support. This process of emotional connection allows us to transcend the divisive content and focus on the universal experiences we all share.
Distinguishing Content From Emotion
In times of uncertainty, content – such as changing guidelines, business operations and societal norms – can generate a great deal of anxiety. It’s important for leaders to differentiate between the ever-evolving content and the underlying emotions.
While content may be uncontrollable and subject to rapid changes, emotions remain a constant thread that binds us. By shifting our focus toward emotions, we can foster stronger connections within our communities and create a supportive environment.
Recognizing the Power of Dependency
In any community – be it a team, a company or an organization – dependency plays a crucial role.
We rely on one another to achieve common goals and navigate challenging times. It’s essential for leaders to recognize this interdependence and actively work to strengthen the bonds within the community. By doing so, we can ensure that our communities remain resilient and capable of weathering the storms that come our way.
Building Purposeful Communities
Community is a group of connected individuals driven by a shared purpose. The larger the community, the more visionary the purpose must be to unite its members.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to articulate and communicate this purpose clearly. A well defined and inspiring purpose can motivate individuals to stretch beyond their comfort zones and work collectively toward a brighter future.
When people see themselves as part of a visionary community, they become more willing to contribute their efforts and talents.
Expecting the Most From One Another
In challenging times, we must raise our expectations for ourselves and those around us. Our communities, whether in the workplace or society at large, possess an incredible capacity for change and growth.
As leaders, we must tap into this potential by fostering connections built on trust and support. By continuously asking ourselves if others feel cared for, if they feel important and if we have their backs, we create an environment where individuals can thrive, and communities can flourish.
Three Strategies
Here are three strategies that you can use to nurture, foster and build resilient communities:
Openness to Emotional Experiences. Encourage your team members to express their emotions openly, especially during stressful moments. Creating a culture where it is safe for individuals to share their emotions without fear of judgment or reprisal will help team members to bond.
Practicing Emotional Responsiveness. Actively practice emotional responsiveness daily to build safety, trust and deep emotional connection. Emotional responsiveness involves recognizing and accepting emotions, both in oneself and in others, particularly during moments of stress or conflict. Encourage team members to reach out to one another when they are stressed, overwhelmed or need support. Emotional responsiveness is about being there for one another.
Developing Emotional Connection. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a valuable trait, recognizing that everyone, regardless of their EQ level, can benefit from practicing emotional connection. In moments of stress, conflict or uncertainty, applying emotional intelligence can be challenging.
You can create processes and spaces that facilitate emotional connection, even for those with lower EQ. Stress often triggers automatic, amygdala-driven responses that can escalate conflicts and hinder effective communication.
When leaders actively work to break these automatic response patterns by focusing on emotional connection and creating safe spaces for discussion and emotional understanding, they start to engage in the emotional experience of reconnection and bonding.
Conclusion
Leadership and community-building go hand in hand, especially during these extraordinary times.
Recognizing the power of emotions, distinguishing them from content, acknowledging dependency and fostering emotional connection are essential steps for leaders to take. By expecting the most from one another and nurturing strong bonds, we can build resilient communities that not only weather the storm but also thrive in the face of adversity.
In a world marked by uncertainty, the bonds we create within our communities can be a source of strength and hope, guiding us toward a brighter future.
Lola Gershfeld, Psy.D., is CEO and organizational psychologist for EmC Leaders. Email her at lola@emcleaders.com or connect through https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld/.
