Workplace Stress
Emotional Intelligence
Window of Tolerance
Psychology & Mental Health
Happiness
100
Name two ways in which relationships between managers and their employees improve and/or hinder performance?
Relationships between managers and employees directly impact performance because they shape motivation, communication, trust, and psychological safety.
They improve performance when managers are supportive, clear, and respectful. This builds trust, increases engagement, encourages feedback, and makes employees more willing to take initiative and ask for help.
They hinder performance when managers are critical, inconsistent, or unavailable. This creates fear, confusion, low morale, and disengagement, which leads to errors, burnout, and high turnover.
In short, healthy manager–employee relationships boost productivity and satisfaction, while poor relationships undermine performance and well-being.
100
What is Self-Management?
Self-Management is how well people can regulate their emotions, regardless of what's happening around them.
100
Name three major life events that could push anyone outside of their Window of Tolerance?
Loss of a loved one – death, divorce, or separation
Serious illness or injury – personal or of a close family member
Job loss or financial crisis – unemployment, eviction, or bankruptcy
Traumatic events – accidents, assaults, natural disasters, or sudden violence
Major life transitions – moving, changing schools, becoming a parent, or retirement
These events can overwhelm emotional and physiological coping systems, making it hard to stay calm, focused, or flexible.
100
Each year over 15 million American adults report that they suffer from this mental illness.
Depression.
100
What type of happiness is happiness about the future?
Optimistimisim
Secondary emotions:
Hopeful – Wanting and believing something good might happen.
Difference: Desire-based, can exist even with uncertainty.Encouraged – Feeling uplifted because of support or progress.
Difference: Comes from external input.
Inspired – Motivated by an idea, person, or vision.
Difference: Drives action and creativity.
200
What is Quiet Quitting?
Quiet quitting is when someone stays at their job but only does what’s in their job description—no extra tasks, no unpaid overtime, no “going above and beyond.”
200
What is Social Awareness?
Social awareness in emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and respond to the emotions, needs, and dynamics of others.
It involves:
Accurately reading social cues (tone, body language, mood)
Showing empathy and perspective-taking
Understanding group dynamics and power roles
In simple terms:
Social awareness = knowing what’s going on around you emotionally and socially.
It helps people communicate better, avoid misunderstandings, and build stronger relationships at work and in life.
200
When someone is outside the window, it can look like one of two states:
What is Hyper-arousal?
Hyper-arousal: Fight or Flight
The body and mind are in overdrive
Feel anxious, angry, or on edge and have trouble focusing
Difficult to control emotions or communicate well with others.
200
A Panic Attack can often mimic the signs of this medical emergency
Heart Attack.
200
Happiness linked to self-worth and achievement.
Feeling Proud
300
What is the Peter Principle?
The Peter Principle is a management theory that says:
“In a hierarchy, people tend to get promoted until they reach a level where they are no longer competent.”
In other words:
People are promoted for being good at their current job, not necessarily because they’ll be good at the next job.
300
What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness in emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions, thoughts, and reactions—and how they affect your behavior and others.
It involves noticing:
What you’re feeling
Why you’re feeling it
How it influences your actions, communication, and decisions
What your strengths and weaknesses are
In simple terms:
Self-awareness = knowing what’s going on inside you in real time.
300
When someone is outside the window, it can look like one of two states:
What is Hypo-arousal?
Hypo-arousal: Freeze
The body and mind are shut down
Feel numb, disconnected, or emotionally flat
Harder to connect with others or use coping skills they’ve learned
300
The following symptoms are signs of what mental health issue: Sweating, Increased Pulse, Racing Thoughts, and a feeling of dread.
Anxiety
300
Reframe this distorted thought while still validating the feeling
Fortune Telling - You have a job interview tomorrow.
Thought: “I’m definitely not getting this job.”
Possible reframes:
"I will try my best and see what happens."
"If I don't get this job there are plenty of other jobs - this isn't the end of the world."
"I feel like I can't cope with this worry, but I can ask for help or support."
400
How does communication play a role in workplace stress?
Describe How Each Communication Style Impacts The Workplace:
Passive?
Passive-Aggressive?
Aggressive?
Assertive?
Communication plays a major role in workplace stress because how people express needs, boundaries, and conflict directly affects tension, misunderstandings, and emotional safety at work. Different communication styles can either reduce stress or intensify it:
Passive: People avoid expressing needs or concerns, which leads to resentment, burnout, and feeling unheard. Stress builds internally.
Passive-aggressive: Frustration is expressed indirectly (sarcasm, procrastination), creating confusion and mistrust, which raises team stress.
Aggressive: Communication is confrontational or hostile, increasing fear, conflict, and emotional strain for everyone involved.
Assertive: Needs and boundaries are expressed clearly and respectfully, reducing misunderstandings and promoting problem-solving, which lowers stress.
In short, passive, passive-aggressive, and aggressive styles increase stress, while assertive communication is the most protective against workplace stress.
400
What are the 4 Pillars of Emotional Intelligence?
Self-Awareness (the mind's mirror)
Self-Management (regulating emotions)
Social Awareness (empathy for others’ thoughts/feelings)
4. = Relationship Management (ability to manage and maintain relationships despite challenges/obstacles)
400
What is The Window of Tolerance?
The Window of Tolerance is the emotional zone where a person can function well.
When someone is inside this window, they can feel emotions without being overwhelmed or shut down.
They are able to think clearly, make decisions, and solve problems.
400
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Mental Health issues coupled with Substance Abuse Issues.
400
Reframe this distorted thought while still validating the feeling
“Should” Statements - You feel tired and unmotivated today.
Thought: “I should be more productive than this.”
Possible reframes:
"I wish I was more productive than this"
"I wasn't as productive as I wanted, but can do better another day"
"I was tired today; lot of people aren't productive when they are tired."
"Tomorrow is a new day"
500
Which jobs in America have the highest churn?
Churn means the rate at which people leave and are replaced in a system.
In work contexts, employee churn = how often workers quit, are fired, or change jobs within a certain time period.
In simple terms:
Churn = turnover
Jobs with the highest churn in the U.S. are mainly in frontline, low-wage sectors like retail, hospitality, food service, and healthcare, with turnover rates often exceeding 60%.
Key roles include fast-food workers, retail salespeople, nurses, and care aides.
High turnover is driven by burnout, low pay, and high demand, with some tech roles also experiencing churn due to rapid industry change.
500
What Emotional Intelligence skills do we need to build before we can improve Relationship Management (the ability to maintain relationships during conflict)?
And why?
Self-awareness allows you to recognize your own emotional reactions in conflict,
Self-Management helps you control those reactions instead of acting impulsively, and
Social Awareness helps you empathize with the other person’s perspective.
Together, these skills create the emotional foundation needed to communicate clearly, stay calm, and resolve conflict without damaging the relationship.
500
Name 3 things someone can do to increase their Window of Tolerance (can be either temporarily or long-term)?
Mindful breathing or grounding exercises – slow breaths, body scans, or noticing surroundings
Physical activity – walking, yoga, or stretching to release tension
Emotional awareness – naming feelings and noticing triggers without judgment
Healthy boundaries – saying no or taking breaks to avoid overwhelm
Self-soothing activities – listening to music, journaling, or engaging in hobbies
500
Depression that occurs seasonally, typically during the fall and winter months when sunlight exposure is limited is called?
500
What are the 5 Love Languages?
Words of Affirmation – Feeling loved through verbal expressions of care, appreciation, and encouragement.
Quality Time – Feeling loved through focused, undivided time and meaningful connection.
Acts of Service – Feeling loved when others help with tasks or do thoughtful things for you.
Physical Touch – Feeling loved through physical closeness like hugs, holding hands, or cuddling.
Receiving Gifts – Feeling loved through thoughtful or symbolic gifts that show someone was thinking of you.