The Power Of Emotion: 7 Tips That Can Transform Your Business Storytelling
As the author of “The Storytelling Mastery for Businesses” and the host of two LinkedIn audio room events on storytelling, you surely would have heard me talk about “The Power of Emotion” for at least, a dozen times. And that refers to the profound impact and influence that emotions can have on our thoughts, actions, and overall well-being.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery for Businesses.
Yes, I understand that emotions can be complex, subjective experiences that encompass a wide range of feelings, from joy and excitement to sadness and fear. But remember that the power of emotion lies in its ability to shape our perceptions, decisions, and interactions with the world.
In this article, I will present you with seven captivating insights into the world of emotions. I am confident that if you correctly utilize them within the context of business, they can revolutionize your perception and, particularly when weaving into your narratives.
Emotions are The Unseen Power of our Existence
In his book, “The Great Pearl of Wisdom Paperback,” published in November 2015, the author, Bangambiki Habyarimana stated as follows: “The world will not know peace until we learn to understand each other’s emotions”. You might need to take some time to reflect on that.
Despite our focus on historical events and mathematical equations, the profound impact of emotions on our daily health and decision-making often remains underestimated. Serving as an unceasing feedback loop, emotions convey vital information essential for navigating life’s intricacies.
So, the significance of emotions is as vital as understanding academic subjects; they incessantly regulate our thoughts and actions. You will help yourself by understanding how to lace them in your business storytelling. Come to think of it, there are even Science-based benefits of emotion in your communication. We will talk about this later in this article.
Emotion is Beyond being Happy or Sad
Beyond the apparent duality of happiness and sadness lie eight fundamental emotions and each of them can have a profound impact on your narratives:
- Joy,
- Sadness,
- Fear,
- Disgust,
- Surprise,
- Anticipation,
- Anger,
- and Trust.
Identified by scientist Robert Plutchik, these emotions constitute the fundamental building blocks of our sensitive experiences. Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions visually portrays their dynamic interplay, illustrating how emotions evolve when left unchecked or blended. Delving into this sensitive palette enhances emotional literacy, a pivotal aspect of Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
For your benefit, therefore, consider diving into the Wheel of emotions to unveil the depth of your sensitive experience.
Understand Emotions Without Judgment
Like most realities around us, emotions are inherently neutral, devoid of intrinsic labels of good or bad. Joy and sadness, seemingly opposing emotions, share a common thread—they both signal the fulfillment or loss of something significant.
Viewing emotions as messengers enables an appreciation of the essential functions of each, even those typically deemed challenging, such as fear or anger. Remember, however, that every emotion serves a purpose and conveys a message. Understanding this is central to developing your emotional intelligence.
Emotions help in Navigating Survival and Flourishing
Each emotion plays a specific role in guiding us toward survival and prosperity. Anger, for example, signals a blocked path, directing attention to the obstacle and motivating us to overcome it. so, you are not simply to ignore it. You need to pay attention and properly navigate your war around it.
Joy, conversely, directs focus toward opportunities, encouraging the pursuit of meaningful connections. Tools like the Emotoscope Feeling Chart assist in deciphering the purpose and meaning behind different emotions, empowering us to collaborate with, rather than against, our emotional landscape.
So, consider embracing emotions as the guiding forces steering you toward solutions and opportunities. What about emotional contagion and the spread of feelings? Let’s see to that.
Emotional Contagion and The Spread of Feelings
Emotions exhibit a contagious nature, transmitting between individuals like a potent virus. Rooted in our evolutionary need for social cohesion and survival, this phenomenon operates unconsciously, with individuals absorbing each other’s emotional states through subtle cues—voice inflection, facial expressions, and posture.
This emotional contagion extends even to social media, shaping our online interactions. So, make sure to pay more attention when you are online or around people.
To take that even further, you can try some exercises such as mindfulness, regarding the emotional contagion effect. This can be helpful even in business interactions and storytelling as well.
Emotions vs. Feelings vs. Moods
While emotions, feelings, and moods share connections, they differ in duration and cognitive involvement. Delving into these distinctions offers valuable insights into how they impact our perceptions and responses.
The following is a clip from an interesting article from Psychcentral.com: Why Are Feelings Important?
“They can help you survive, grow, and connect with others. And they can guide your decisions, behaviors, and motivations. As babies, emotions are how you learn to communicate, even before you can talk. While intense emotions can feel like a lot, without them, life can feel bland, muted, and empty.”
You can consider reading the entire article at Psychcentral.com but the message here for you is to explore the nuances between emotions, feelings, and moods to enhance your emotional intelligence.
Six Seconds, The Lifespan of Emotion
Emotions are absorbed by the body within approximately six seconds, from their inception in the hypothalamus to complete breakdown. Recognizing and evaluating emotions within this brief window empowers individuals to decide whether to recreate or release them.
“Taking a 6-second pause when you are triggered by stress” according to The British School Of Excellence, allows you the space to make a conscious decision about what to do or say next.
Going further in the publication, “The 6 Second Rule That Changes Everything” it was added that “Our natural tendency when faced with a stressful or challenging situation is to react immediately, without thinking about whether it is the most rational or appropriate way to act.”
Remember that emotional intelligence entails recognizing and managing emotions within the six-second window.
In the realm of business, where storytelling wields immense power, comprehending and harnessing the dynamics of emotions can elevate your narrative, and foster profound connections with your audience.
So, learn to embrace the intricacies of emotions and let them become allies on your journey toward business success.
I promised before that we were going to touch on some science-based benefits of leveraging the power of emotion in your communication. So, let me add 3 of such benefits at this point in the article.
The Science-based benefits of emotion in your communication
Leveraging the power of emotions in your communication can have several science-based benefits, impacting both the sender and the receiver. Here are three key advantages backed by scientific research:
Enhanced Memory and Engagement
Emotions play a crucial role in memory formation and retention. The emotional content of a message activates the amygdala, a region in the brain associated with emotions and memory. Research, such as the studies by Dr. Larry Cahill at the University of California, Irvine, has shown that emotionally charged events are better remembered than neutral ones.
What that means is that when you infuse emotion into your communication, whether it’s through storytelling or vivid descriptions, you engage the emotional centers of the brain. This heightened emotional engagement increases the likelihood that your message will be remembered more.
In a business context, this can lead to better recall of key information, such as product details or brand values, thereby fostering stronger connections with your audience.
Increased Persuasion and Decision-Making:
Neuroscientific studies, including research conducted by Antonio Damasio, a renowned neuroscientist, emphasize the critical role emotions play in decision-making. Damasio’s work suggests that emotions are integral to rational decision-making, influencing choices and judgments.
When you incorporate emotional appeals in your communication, you tap into the emotional brain centers that contribute to decision-making. Whether it’s creating a sense of urgency, building trust, or evoking empathy, emotions can sway individuals towards specific actions.
In business, this can translate to more persuasive marketing messages, effective sales pitches, and influential leadership communication.
Improved Social Connection and Empathy:
Mirror neurons, discovered by neuroscientist, Giacomo Rizzolatti and his team, are brain cells that fire both when we act and when we observe someone else perform the same action.
These neurons are thought to be a neural basis for empathy. Emotions are contagious, and when we witness emotions in others, our mirror neurons activate, fostering a shared emotional experience.
By infusing your communication with emotional elements, you can create a shared emotional experience with your audience. Whether it’s expressing vulnerability, sharing success stories, or acknowledging challenges, incorporating emotions enhances the human connection.
This shared emotional ground builds empathy and strengthens relationships, whether in team dynamics, customer interactions, or any other social context within the business environment.
In summary, the science-based benefits of leveraging the power of emotions in communication include enhanced memory and engagement, increased persuasion, and decision-making, and improved social connection and empathy.
By understanding and incorporating these principles into your communication strategy, you can create more impactful and resonant messages that effectively connect with your audience.
Conclusion on The Power Of Emotion
This has been an important conversation. so, I encourage you to step into the fascinating world of emotions, the power that shapes our everyday lives. Think beyond just feeling happy or sad – emotions are like conductors orchestrating a hidden symphony within us.
Remember the key point that understanding emotions is significant to making your business story truly impactful!
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery for Businesses
