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The Courage to Pause: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters at Work
In fast-moving work environments, we’re often rewarded for speed—quick answers, fast decisions, immediate reactions. But some of the most impactful moments in our careers don’t call for speed at all. They call for pause.
A pause isn’t inaction. It’s intention.
At our agency, we believe great work doesn’t just come from sharp strategy and strong execution—it comes from people who are self-aware, grounded, and able to respond thoughtfully when things feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or emotionally charged. That’s where emotional intelligence shows up—not in theory, but in real moments.
We’ve all been there.
A comment lands wrong in a meeting.
Feedback feels sharper than expected.
Someone interrupts before you’ve finished your thought.
In those moments, the body reacts first. There’s tension. A spike of emotion. A story starts forming—I wasn’t heard. I did something wrong. I need to defend myself.
That initial reaction is human. It’s protective. And it often comes from fear—not from who we truly are or how we want to lead.
The challenge isn’t eliminating that reaction. The real work is what we do after it shows up.
Pausing creates space between stimulus and response. It allows us to move from reflex to reflection.
In that space, we can ask better questions:
What am I actually feeling right now?
What assumption did I just make?
Is there another explanation that might also be true?
How do I want to show up in this moment?
This is emotional intelligence in action—not controlling emotions, but understanding them well enough to choose a response that aligns with our values instead of our fears.
At work, where expectations are high and relationships matter, this kind of awareness changes everything. It shapes how we communicate, how we collaborate, and how we lead—especially when situations are challenging.
Modern workplaces are complex. Hybrid environments, constant change, and competing pressures can amplify stress and miscommunication. When that happens, reacting quickly can feel easier than slowing down.
But leaders—and teams—who practice pause tend to:
Pausing doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations or suppressing emotion. It means creating just enough room to engage those moments with maturity, curiosity, and intention.
Authenticity at work is often misunderstood as saying whatever comes to mind. In reality, authenticity is about staying true to yourself—especially when it’s hard.
That means recognizing when a reaction is driven by fear or assumption, and choosing a response that reflects your best self instead.
It’s not always comfortable. Pausing can feel vulnerable. It takes courage to resist the urge to react immediately. But over time, it’s what allows us to grow—not just as professionals, but as people.
Our co-founder, Renee Wills, recently shared a deeply personal reflection on this exact topic—exploring what it looks like to pause, get curious about our reactions, and respond with intention in the moments that test us most.
In her long-form LinkedIn article, Renee shares real examples, internal dialogue, and the lessons she’s learned about emotional intelligence, leadership, and staying grounded when the stakes feel high.
Read the full article: The Courage to Pause—and Stay True to Our Best Selves
