How Emotions Affect Business Decision Making (And How to Leverage Them)

by Erik Larson for ForbesWe all know that our emotions affect our decisions. In fact, scientists have found that without emotions we become completely ineffective at making decisions. Emotions also impact teamwork. That’s a big reason why recent research shows emotional intelligence is one of the strongest predictors of success at work. And the biggest problems arise when team decision making and emotions collide.When it comes decision making, a little emotion is good, even if the emotions seem inherently unpleasant or unproductive. Feeling a little fear, sadness or irritation can help to spark motivation or broaden the search for alternatives.On the flip side, a little too much emotion is generally bad, even if the emotions seem pleasant and productive. When an entire team of people is feeling curious, excited or confident, they are more likely to spend too much time admiring the view in their matching rose colored glasses, or happily make a decision to drive right off a cliff.Use this list to keep perspective when emotions arise in team decision-making discussions at your company. It’s based on the most common emotions experienced by business decision-making teams, according to thousands of team decisions recorded in the Cloverpop business decision database.Hopeful, Interested, Curious, Excited, Inspired = Distracted and Slow or Excessively OptimisticThese emotions feel good. Individually, they keep us going. The problem is not how they feel, but how they can affect decision-making behavior in groups.Read More →