Many people feel powerless and frazzled in challenging situations. As an HR practitioner, you can play a huge role in changing this situation. If you have read my article Take charge of your life you know how to increase self-efficacy and help people operate from an internal locus of control by:
- Believing they can have an impact
- Monitoring and managing their internal dialogue
- Turning off their automatic ‘Yes’ reactions
- Finding new ways to do things
- Now let’s look at some higher-level strategies you can use to foster emotion regulation in your business
Recruit for self-efficacy
Ideally, you should hire employees who already have a good sense of self-efficacy and strong internal locus of control. How do you do that? By asking probing questions, posing hypothetical situations and using robust psychometrics. Find out how candidates handle setbacks and challenges. Ask about their emotion management strategies, not just their job skills.
Educate employees in disputing negative self-talk
Teach your employees about irrational self-talk, self-efficacy and locus of control. Explain the basics of neuroplasticity and brain ‘rewiring’ so people understand that learning can happen at any age. Good places to include discussions about self-efficacy include customer service, communication skills, time management and leadership development training sessions.
Challenge actual talk (not just self-talk)
When you hear employees engaging in talk that indicates an external locus of control, help them reframe their perspective. Use Seligman’s ABCDE model of thought disputation when coaching for mindset change.
Promote a curiosity mindset
Curiosity is empowering because it promotes innovative perspectives and self-direction. Reward curiosity in the workplace. Encourage employees to seek new models of thought, not just in their work but in their everyday lives. Champion a growth mindset in which employees embrace challenges and persist, instead of giving up.
For more information about positive psychology training, reach out to Eleanor Shakiba. Learn how to take control of your life by harnessing the power of optimism and self-efficacy.
About the author of this article
Eleanor Shakiba is a positive psychology trainer. She trains and coaches people in high-intellect professions – such as academia, education, project management, research and development, and engineering. Her expertise in teaching positive psychology makes Eleanor a highly sought-after facilitator. Find out how she can help you or your team here.