Making behavioural changes

Showing your vulnerability in a personal relationship might bring you closer to your partner> But as far as the workplace is concerned, it might backfire on you, feels Dr Tushar Guha, managing director of Nrityanjali, an institute for personality development in Mumbai.

"If you are a sensitive person by nature, try not to show it in front of colleagues. Emotions do have a place in the work space but you have to learn where which emotion should be used," he says.

Compassion and surprisingly, anger, if used correctly, can impact your work life positively. "Anger can help assertiveness. Blowing your top and going out of control when angry will only aggravate the problem. But if you put your anger down in black and white, that is, list the reasons for your anger, it can help you put your point across more effectively," says Guha.

Many believe that compassion at the workspace undermines your authority. But looking into a person's life beyond the office can help you identify the root of the problem and hence, eliminate it. "For example, a person might be efficient but may be showing signs of inefficiency lately. This might be because a personal problem is dogging him or her. If a colleague senses it, it lightens the emotional burden on the person who is going through the bad patch," Guha adds. Ever notice how a boss sharing his or her lunch with subordinates increases comfort levels?

Some emotions can harm your career graph. Jealousy and a superiority complex are the fastest ways to alienate your colleagues. "Belittling other people won't show you in a good light. It will just make your insecurity obvious," say Guha.