Do you send out emails/texts to those you lead after work hours are completed? Are you just trying to clear off those last few tasks so you can relax or sleep? When you press send do you feel rewarded with a huge sense of completion, knowing you are done and your mind will rest? We have all been in this situation at one time or another.
Have you considered how this simple task can create detrimental ripples in your team? While you may indeed feel relief, you have actually passed along your emotional football.
The emotional football folly is one of the most dynamic errors a leader can make. Consider for a moment how the person receiving the email/text will now be taking on your emotional football.
The cascade of “what do I do?” begins for the recipient. Do I stay up and answer the email/text? Will it look bad if I don’t respond? How will not responding affect my upward movement potential? What will be said around the office if I don’t respond? How will answering affect those at home who are around me? How do I prioritize my downtime now that I have received this message? Why does my boss always message/text me when I’m not at work? Do I have the information needed to answer this message? Do I send off a quick response? How do I not look foolish?
Your need to unspool, clear your work plate created someone else to gear up. You tossed The Emotional Football.
Now as an informed leader, you understand the need to manage your emotions. To choose when to involve those you lead and when to hold back. To respect the boundaries outside of the office. To respect those you lead. This is a moment when a leader needs to step up by stopping.
Instead of tossing your emotional football, consider not sending the email/text. A tough one!
How do you not throw that football?
Set up your email box to send the message the next morning (and not before 7am). Your restraint shows respect for those you lead while allowing you to feel relieved to have the task completed. It demonstrates an understanding of boundaries. By using auto messaging you will not only feel relieved to have completed your task; you will have shown respect for those you lead and they will thank you for it.