Self-awareness is a cornerstone of effective leadership. The animated film “Inside Out” provides a unique lens through which leaders can explore the nuances of emotions and their impact on decision-making.
Film Summary: “Inside Out”
“Inside Out” is an innovative animated film that ventures into the mind of Riley, an 11-year-old girl navigating the emotional turmoil of a major life change after moving to a new city. The film personifies five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust — residing in the headquarters of her mind. These emotions influence Riley’s behaviour and memories through a dynamic and visually engaging narrative.
As the story unfolds, Riley’s emotions struggle to adjust to her new life, reflecting the complexities of how emotions govern our decisions and interactions. The interplay between Joy and Sadness becomes particularly poignant, highlighting the necessity of experiencing a range of emotions to achieve emotional growth and resilience.
For leaders, “Inside Out” serves as a framework to understand the internal emotional dynamics that influence decision-making and leadership styles. By examining the characters’ interactions and the eventual balance they find, leaders can gain insights into managing their own emotions and those of others in the workplace. The film encourages us all to embrace emotional diversity within ourselves and our teams, fostering environments where empathy and emotional understanding are at the forefront of driving positive organisational change.
Self-Coaching Approach Using “Inside Out”
- Objective Setting
- Identify specific emotional intelligence goals, such as understanding emotional triggers or enhancing emotional resilience.
- Craft reflective questions to explore how emotions influence your leadership and decision-making.
- Guided Viewing
- Watch the film with a focus on how different emotions interact and influence the protagonist’s actions.
- Note scenes that depict the tension between emotional impulses and rational choices.
- Reflective Analysis and Application
- Reflect on your own emotional responses in similar scenarios. How do these affect your professional interactions and decisions?
- Consider strategies for better managing your emotions in leadership contexts, inspired by solutions seen in the film.
Developing Emotional Insights
- Insight Through Reflection
- Examine the impact of emotions on your leadership style. Identify any recurring patterns and think about how you handle stress or interpersonal conflicts.
- Set actionable goals to improve your emotional regulation based on your observations.
- Practical Application
- Implement emotional insights into daily leadership practices.
- Practice mindfulness and emotional control techniques to enhance decision-making and team interactions.
- Commit to ongoing self-reflection to monitor progress and adapt strategies as needed.
“Inside Out” is a film that we can all use as a tool to deepen our understanding of emotional dynamics. This self-coaching approach boosts emotional intelligence and also equips leaders with the skills to lead with empathy and assurance.