Have you ever found yourself overreacting in a meeting, only to regret it later?
It happens to all of us. And it’s not about weakness. It’s about being human.
Inclusive leaders understand that strong emotional reactions, especially when we feel criticised or challenged, are normal. But they also know how to pause, reflect, and choose a different response. This is the essence of emotional agility.
In one case shared in Simplifying Inclusive Leadership, a leader recognised they were being triggered not just by a colleague’s behaviour, but by a past experience of feeling dismissed. That emotional echo changed how they treated the colleague, creating a cycle of tension and mistrust, until they paused, reflected, and had an honest conversation.
Emotionally agile leaders:
- Acknowledge emotional triggers without judgement
- Separate past pain from present context
- Use curiosity instead of defensiveness
- Lead with vulnerability, not ego
Inclusion work can stir deep emotion. Emotional agility allows us to stay aligned with our values, even when it’s hard.
