I am• Elena Svetieva svetievae@ccl.org• An emotion scientist specializing

in emotion expression and behavioral measurement of emotion• PhD, University at Buffalo, State

University of New York• Postdoc at CCL since Dec 2015

A key aspect of EI: understanding emotion

The ability to identify and label emotion

Talking about emotion can get you far.

Emotion words describe• Reactions• Impacts• Interpretations• Responses

They help facilitate collaboration and deal with conflict by increasing mutual understanding.They are building blocks of effective communication and empathy

So how did we choose the terms?

The theory of universal emotion

Fear

Sadness

Anger

Surprise

Disgust

Happiness

Basic emotion dimensions

Plutchik, R. E., & Conte, H. R. (1997); Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, (1998)

Great for gauging more general mood and energy levels during a task

Positive

High energy (activated)

Negative

Low energy (deactivated)

agitated

irritated

excited

determined

active

mellow

content

scared

sad

bored

troubled

positive negative

Social and moral emotions

Social and moral emotionsPersecuted Betrayed Cheated Foolish

Remorse Pity

Affectionate Bitter Kind Liked

Appreciated Honored Welcome

Some possible uses

Emotions are impact words

Gaining clarity: an exampleContext: negotiations with a third party where boss is present

[Third party] basically snapped at me, yelled at me and tried to embarrass me.

I was irritated with that exchange. It was an attempt to demean me, undermine or make me feel small. My boss sat there and allowed me to take it without saying a word.

I felt betrayed. The irritation was wounding of my pride. Shot to my ego

So let’s take these for a spin

Activity• Pick one or two emotion cards and

think to a specific time or situation when you felt that emotion

• If you are in the room: pair and share

• Webex-ers: think of another two situations where you felt similar emotion

ReflectionWhat do those situations have in common – what is your trigger for that emotion? What does it say about what you value or how the emotion is important to you.

What is the common trigger between you and your partner in the activity?