Is there a place for emotion in the workplace? Is this really even a choice?! Emotional health is often overshadowed by mental health. 

In this article, I interviewed Lizzie Butcher. With over a decade of experience in corporate travel technology startups, Lizzie made a significant shift in 2020, becoming an ICF Accredited Transformational Coach based in the Middle East. Her focus lies in conducting workshops and training sessions for companies, centering around enhancing emotional resilience, stress management, and effective decision-making.

○ Lizzie's Journey: From Corporate Travel Tech to Transformational Coaching

○ The Link Between Confidence and Emotional Regulation

○ Starting Small for Sustainable Change

○ The Power of Pause and Meditation

○The Power of Language

○The Wisdom in Embracing Emotions

○The Ripple Effect of Emotional Regulation

Continue reading or Watch the full interview here.

Lizzie's Journey: From Corporate Travel Tech to Transformational Coaching

Lizzie's journey from the fast-paced world of travel tech in London to her current role as a transformational coach in the Middle East is nothing short of inspiring. About 2.5 to 3 years ago, amidst the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lizzie retrained as a coach while still working in her corporate role. It was a profound realization, a fire in her belly, signaling that coaching was her true calling.

However, the transition didn't stop there. Lizzie soon discovered that coaching within the corporate structure wasn't fully satisfying her purpose. Taking a bold step, she launched her own coaching business, honing in on a specific focus—empowering leaders, particularly women, in mastering their emotions for enhanced self-assurance and confidence in the workplace.

Emotions play a critical role in determining happiness and success in leadership positions. Lizzie draws from her personal experience in a predominantly male-dominated industry, specifically in travel tech. Candidly, she shared her journey of underutilizing her voice, the struggles with confidence, and the emotional hurdles she faced.

Lizzie's passion stems from these firsthand experiences, acknowledging the challenges she overcame in finding her voice and navigating the complex terrain of corporate life. Her mission now is to empower others to reclaim their power, feel at ease in situations that once induced fear, and ultimately thrive as leaders.

The Link Between Confidence and Emotional Regulation

Lizzie focuses on the interconnectedness of confidence and emotional regulation. She stresses that true confidence is not a static state but a dynamic journey that involves navigating discomfort. Drawing parallels with learning to drive, Lizzie explains that building confidence requires taking incremental steps through discomfort, gradually accumulating evidence that you are safe and capable.

The crux of her approach lies in understanding and embracing discomfort as a signal. Every emotion, she asserts, is a form of information. Lizzie encourages her clients to dismantle the negative connotations often associated with certain emotions and instead view them as valuable signals that require attention and interpretation.

Starting Small for Sustainable Change

In the hustle and bustle of a demanding professional life, it's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, constantly on the go, and caught up in a relentless pursuit of more. In the second part of our discussion, we explore practical strategies to navigate this high-pressure environment.

Feeling swamped with emails, inundated with messages, and juggling multiple projects is a reality for many professionals, particularly in regions like the Middle East, where the pace is often frenetic. The first step is acknowledging that this struggle is not unique to you—it's a shared experience.

Rather than attempting a radical overhaul of your routine, consider starting small. Recognize that your current behaviors have served a purpose but may now be impacting your work performance, relationships, or even your health. It's about setting yourself up for success by taking tiny, manageable steps.

The Power of Language

In the quest for self-awareness, naming and understanding your emotions is crucial. The emotions wheel, a comprehensive tool with hundreds of emotions, can help you articulate your feelings more precisely. It's about going beyond simple labels like "happy" or "sad" and delving into the nuanced language of emotions to grasp their underlying causes.

Language shapes our reality, and redefining how we describe our experiences is within our control. Instead of defaulting to the worn-out "busy" label, consider reframing it. For instance, acknowledging a packed schedule while choosing words that evoke gratitude and fulfillment can shift your mindset.

The Wisdom in Embracing Emotions 

Emotions are not just fleeting experiences; they hold valuable lessons. Rather than viewing them as calls to action, consider them calls to wisdom. Not every emotion requires immediate action; sometimes, it's about understanding, learning, and allowing the experience to pass. 

In the relentless pursuit of success, it's easy to overlook the power of pause, self-awareness, and intentional language. As high performers consciously incorporate these practices, they not only navigate the challenges of a demanding professional life but also lay the foundation for lasting success and fulfillment.

The Ripple Effect of Emotional Regulation

Lizzie shares a compelling story about Aceo, an exceptional entrepreneur managing multiple businesses and teams. Aceo discovered that his emotional regulation played a pivotal role in how his teams communicated and performed.

 Aceo observed that the fear and panic among his managers stemmed from the stress they sensed in him. By recognizing the importance of his own emotional regulation, he began redefining his responses and, consequently, transforming the team dynamics.

As a leader, your emotional state isn't just about you—it significantly influences your teams' performance, happiness, and confidence.

The fear of being vulnerable can hinder leaders from effectively influencing and motivating their teams. The speakers stress the need for leaders to reflect on their intentions behind vulnerability, aiming to reinforce trust and create a culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.

One common challenge is the pursuit of quick fixes when it comes to emotional regulation. She advocates for a deeper, more holistic approach, urging leaders to understand themselves, identify their values, and consciously choose the leader they want to be. Lizzie highlights the importance of leaders taking ownership of their emotional well-being, especially in situations where organizational support may be lacking.