Emotional Ripple Effect

First, a story.
I fell off my bike today trying to avoid someone intentionally running towards me to scare me.

I’m okay, physically, besides a few scratches, but very torn, angry even, emotionally. This person didn’t apologize, and laughed while pointing at me, and so did their friends.

I finally made it back to my car, drove home with all my feelings, and I took it all out on the first opportunity I had - I honked continuously at this one red car, who made a right turn at the red light without slowing down, cutting in front of me, forcing me to break very hard.

But from his rolled-down window, he raised his hand, signaling he was sorry. Immediately, just like that, my anger went away and I felt like shit for being an asshole who had no patience and manner - not so much different than the person who scared me off my bike just a few mins ago.

Now imagine this at a workplace.
Have you taken it out on a colleague or direct report before? Did they react negatively and make someone else’s day worse? What about your remote teams? who will they see first and take out their emotions on?

Be mindful of the emotional ripple effects in an organization. Be professional and be the person to identify the cycle, break it, and build a positive one instead.

bonus point, Apple Watch fall detection tested and worked in real life.

(Originally first published on Linkedin)