Business and Emotions

Working online and the use of social media involves contact with people.

People which you haven't met most of them in real life. Usually you don't really know much about their background or personal circumstances.

Though Social media sites are great for connections and contacts, they have limitations because of what I wrote in the previous sentence.

Additionally most contacts are through written messages. As opposed to face to face contact you miss many aids in written messages. You can not see the expression of the others face, you can not read body language and you can't hear the tone of voice; all 3 are signals to help you to evaluate if your message comes across. In online contacts also language can be an extra barrier; it is much more difficult to express your thoughts in a language that is not your native one.

This being said it is unavoidable that there will be misunderstandings which can sometimes escalate to arguments and anger and disappointment. This can happen when an online contact acts in a way you did not expect and you totally disagree with. This is where emotions get it in: "I can believe he/she did this (to me)".

People feel hurt or angry. It is in humans nature to strike back immediately. A message or comment is written in anger or a connection is cut off or a business relation or partnership is broken. People often make decisions in an emotional state they regret later once they have cooled down and reflected on the issue a bit more from a distance or discussed the issue with others.

I made this mistake once. Out of disappointment and frustration I quit and walked out on the best opportunity in my online business life. I could undo it fortunately but since that happened I never made another decision based on emotions again.

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Report this Page

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

Share on APSense

Comments

Maria Fiore Pilon   Water The Source Of Life Thanks for this information, this message makes me think of stress management while communicating with others. It is important to have some control on how we interact with others. Maria Jul 21st 2011 08:48

JOSEPH CHACKERY   Officer Good article! Emotions do play a great role in our daily life. I take care of emotions while commenting on someone's work. Jul 21st 2011 08:58

Fred Mugone   Health, Wellness, e-Business Excellent article Paula. You described very well how emotions, if not managed well, can end up causing a lot of damage that is not necessary. It's a problem that's very common to us human beings. However - just my "2 cents" - I've found that if I ever do ever find myself in a position where my emotions threaten to go into "over drive," one of the best things to do is NOT to strike back immediately - a hard thing to do, I know. Something simple such as counting slowly from 1 to 10 before reacting will enable one to "simmer down," put things into proper perspective and have a more reasonable and less damaging reaction to whatever it is that has angered or disappointed them. Jul 21st 2011 09:22 2 Likes   Edited in Aug 17th 2012 10:17

Jackie Popp    Hi Paula been there done that. I try to get along with everybody but when people are abusive to me I get out right away especially when they are not willing to solve the problem in which they created. I have put up with alot of garbage from men and woman that was unnessary. There for I try to find the right kind of people to be involved with that are positive and helpful and not on a ego trip or controling. I have made some nice friends here in aspence. Very good article. Jul 21st 2011 09:35 1 Likes

Roosevelt Evans III   Home Business Entrepreneur Though face to face contact is better, written words can and do convey emotions. Written words can hurt just as much as spoken words. A tone of voice can even be imagined in wrtitten words. It is always a challenge to be firm and yet kind at the same time, whether in speaking or writing. Tactfulness is an art that few of us have mastered, especially when our own feeling have been hurt. Disagreements are inevitable in any social discourse but we must all have the attitude of "agreeing to disgaree" and let things go when there is nothing more to discuss, not stooping to "name calling" when others don't agree with us. Vey good article, Paula. Jul 21st 2011 09:36 2 Likes

Cheryl Baumgartner   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance We also need to be aware of the Internet trolls who invade every social network. Especially the 'instigator'. The person who always has to tell you what other people mean or tell you what their motives are. In online networks the troll is guaranteed to jump into a conversation and act like he or she is being 'helpful' when in reality their goal is to pour fuel on the fire. Jul 21st 2011 09:56

Paula van Dun   Retired I just deleted some comments that said nothing. Like nice, and lets see. Jul 21st 2011 10:53

Rona T.  Program Analyst Thanks for sharing Paula, if we as human beings learn to control our anger we can make better decisions, not just in business but in every area of our lives. Your mistake out of anger, allowed you to experience what happens when you don't take control of your emotions and you have learned a valuable lesson so this is growth and you are able to share your experience so others can grow as well. Jul 21st 2011 11:10

Paula van Dun   Retired I guess most people know that emotions are a big part in steering their actions. Being aware of this all the time is something else. Often, especially when negative emotions are involved they realize it afterwards when the damage has been done. (OMG I would never have said that normally but I was so mad). So I count to 100, 1000 or longer so I can make funded decisions not based on emotions only. Jul 21st 2011 12:00

Zulkarnain Sjachroem   Indonesian People This is new information for me. Because your article make me more understand about emoticons action, thank you for that mam. I like this article two thumbs for you. Jul 21st 2011 20:24

Anna Novakova   Independent Marketing Partner Similarly, in social networks shows smoking, alcoholism, as well as voting behavior. or even divorce, altruism and emotion. Yes - and emotions are spreading like a virus. Someone smiles at you and you instinctively smile back at him. It is even possible that emotions do not have individual, but collective existence. Paul very nice article Jul 22nd 2011 01:45

Arthur Webster   Just plain honesty Business and emotions are mutually exclusive. If you have a business-like approach to your prospects, customers and what you sell, there should be no emotional back-wash. As an example, we all like cuddly little animals. Many of us like big cuddly animals. A meat farmer has to over-come the emotional ties to his products in order to maintain a viable business. Social marketing is NOT social - it is exploitative. We are encouraged to make contact at a personal level with like minded individuals with only one aim - to sell to them! This is simply marketing. The social side vanishes as soon as a "friend" becomes a "purchaser list" member and starts to receive the pre-written, l daily sales emails that people on that list receive. Apsense is a social site trying to pretend that the marketing side is mutually engaged to further the social aspect when, in fact, the reverse is true. Jul 22nd 2011 02:38

Tolulope Babatunde   HCD Consultant This is sure piece and it's a reminder that silence is still one of the greatest virtue all should possess. We really need to be calm and consider what we are about to do in the moment of silence so we don't live to regret our actions. Jul 22nd 2011 03:48

James Bonham   tweetsmaster Hi Paula, I must say excellent article.People and their feelings often times create many actions positive and negative,must be human nature,I think that`s were self control comes in.Bridle.Hebrew-(1) machcowm (makh-sohm): a muzzle; (2) chacam. (khaw-sam): referring to a guard or control of the head and mouth.Being sure to speak only wise words; and not allow foolishness or idle and sinful words. Jul 23rd 2011 05:42

Fred Mugone   Health, Wellness, e-Business Tweetmaster, you hit one of the biggest nails on the head as far as dealing with emotions (in business): self control. Those two words work like magic. If one makes the mistake of letting their emotions (especially negative ones) control them, disaster is assured. Jul 23rd 2011 06:29

Paula van Dun   Retired Yes Fred. But this does not only apply for business relations. I will write another related article soon. Jul 23rd 2011 06:37

Fred Mugone   Health, Wellness, e-Business Agreed Paula. It does not just apply to business relations but literally to every area of our lives. One example: negative emotions can lead to ill health - both physical and mental. Jul 23rd 2011 06:51

James Bonham   tweetsmaster Thank`Fred you are a great leader in life and business. Jul 23rd 2011 07:08

Philip S.  Wellness Consultant Great article Paula, it is unfortunate that emotions can literally get in the way of business and personal relationships. This is one of the reasons I appreciate the amazing people that I have met and connected with even more. Thank you for sharing! Aug 17th 2012 09:33