Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Using Your Emotions As Data

So often, leaders are told: don’t let emotions get in the way, keep it professional, stick to the facts.
But here’s the truth—emotions are facts. They’re physiological, neurological, and deeply tied to how we make decisions, build trust, and experience the world.

In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I shared why emotions aren’t a liability—they’re information. And if you know how to interpret them, you gain a powerful edge in leading yourself and others.

Emotions Are Signposts, Not Obstacles

I like to think of emotions as signposts. They don’t tell the whole story, but they point you toward something important.

• Anger often signals a boundary has been crossed.

• Anxiety may show you’re operating outside your values or anticipating a risk.

• Guilt can reveal an area where integrity is calling you forward.

• Joy or relief highlight alignment—that something is working.

The key is not to suppress or ignore these signals but to pause and ask: What is this emotion trying to tell me? What need or boundary might not be met?

From Reacting to Responding

Emotional literacy is a leadership skill. The first step is being able to name your feelings accurately.

Saying “I’m upset” is important, but it’s only the first floor. Going deeper looks like:

• “I’m disappointed because I had a different expectation.”

• “I’m nervous because I care about the outcome.”

That specificity matters. It shifts your response from drama to data, and it helps others understand where you’re coming from.

Three Practices to Build Emotional Awareness

Here are simple steps you can start using right away:

1. Name and notice. Pause before reacting. Ask yourself: What am I feeling right now? What might be causing this?

2. Track patterns. Keep notes about when you feel energized versus drained, or tense versus relaxed. Over time, you’ll see patterns that guide better decisions.

3. Talk about emotions with your team. Normalize awareness by saying things like, “I’ve noticed some tension—let’s name it so we can move forward.”

This isn’t about oversharing; it’s about modeling healthy emotional intelligence.

Leading With Your Full Intelligence

Leadership isn’t about being unshakeable or having the perfect answer every time. It’s about being self-aware.

A leader who never shows emotion isn’t trustworthy. But a leader who can navigate their feelings, stay grounded, and use emotions as data? That’s a leader who builds trust, fosters resilience, and leads with clarity.

Next time an emotion bubbles up, don’t brush it aside. Instead ask:
What’s the message here? What is this emotion trying to teach me?

That’s how you turn your inner world into your most reliable compass.

Your host, Jessica Wright, is a Life & Career Development Coach for Leaders and the Founder of Wright Life Coaching, LLC. You can connect with and follow her on LinkedIn.