Bringing Inside Out 2 Into the Workplace
Navigating our emotions in the workplace can be challenging, but Inside Out 2 offers valuable insights to help get us closer.
This blog explores how the film's lessons can help us embrace ALL emotions and use them to foster empathy and effective communication for ourselves, teams, and leaders.
In this post, you’ll:
How to acknowledge and balance all our emotions, even the difficult ones.
Practical strategies for identifying and managing emotional triggers.
Photos courtesy of Disney
A Lesson From My Daughter
This summer, my daughter started her first job at a smoothie place and recently had the big responsibility of closing the shop alone. I could feel her excitement and anticipation as she left and walked down to her shift.
It was late, so I decided to stop by to offer her a lift home. As I pulled up, I found her heaving three full bags of fruit rinds over her shoulder to the dumpster. As one bag fell, I walked over and said I was there for help if she wanted it. She quickly said she was good and proudly picked the bag up and continued to the dumpster.
However, her enthusiasm turned to slight annoyance when she was locking up and discovered the key, she was given wouldn't lock the outside door. She hesitantly waved me over. I tried it, but it was clear the key was the wrong fit. After a somewhat nervous call to her manager (who quickly came to the rescue with the correct key), the issue was resolved.
Hours later, as we watched a Dodger game, I could tell my daughter was triggered about something…when she unexpectedly said, "I wish I had checked the key before my manager left."
All her good work was overshadowed by the fact that she had to call her manager in. The feelings turned to a very slight anxiety.
Lessons From Inside Out 2
Ironically, we had just watched the movie Inside Out 2, which explores the inner battle of emotions. My daughter and I humorously compared the situation and reminded ourselves of two important points:
Although It’s okay not to be okay, it's essential to acknowledge and accept all our emotions equally.
As Coldplay writes about impermanence in its song Lost, “Just because I’m losing, doesn’t mean I’m lost”.
Click Above
In Inside Out 2, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are joined by new emotions—Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment—to navigate Riley's new stage of life.
The film accurately represents how we often push aside difficult emotions, only addressing them when it's convenient or when change forces us to confront them.
In my last blog, we learned about the role emotions play in Imposter Syndrome. My daughters’ story reminds me of the three emotional lessons we can draw from Inside Out 2, especially in dealing with imposter syndrome and emotional triggers.
Tip One: Acknowledging All Emotions
One key lesson from Inside Out 2 is understanding our emotions, as seen through the significant role of sadness. The movie portrays Joy attempting to contain Sadness, resulting in chaos and emotional turmoil for Riley, illustrating the negative consequences of ignoring or suppressing emotions. This highlights the importance of honoring ALL emotions.
In a culture that often prioritizes happiness, this lesson is critical. The touching scene where all the emotions hug each other serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing lesson of self-acceptance!!!
Tip Two: Navigating New Emotions
The introduction of new emotions in the film serves as a metaphor for the new challenges and feelings we encounter as we age. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are joined by new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment. It’s a gentle reminder that change is the only constant, and growing pains are part of the process.
For example, when Riley experiences Anxiety, we see how it tries to help her address the “fears she can’t see.” This personification of Anxiety is both surreal and comforting, reminding us that anxiety, while often unpleasant, helps us pay attention, remember details, and avoid danger.
Tip Three: Managing Triggers Through Empathy and Communication
Inside Out 2 champions empathy by visualizing the inner workings of our minds. The film encourages viewers to consider what might be going on in other people’s heads, fostering empathy among siblings, classmates, and even between parents and children. Understanding that everyone has their own inner emotional landscape can encourage kindness and patience in our interactions.
We can understand and identify our emotional triggers by mapping them to specific emotions to better navigate our feelings and interactions, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
How to Map Your Emotional Triggers (below)
How to Create an Emotional Trigger Map:
Materials Needed:
Notebook or journal
Pen or pencil (don’t do this on your device)
Quiet space for reflection
Steps:
Central Emotion Circle:
In the center of a page, draw a large circle and label it "Emotions."
Emotion Branches:
Around the central circle, draw smaller circles for each emotion you frequently experience (e.g., Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Anxiety).
Identify Triggers:
Reflect on recent experiences that have triggered each emotion.
For each emotion circle, draw lines outward to smaller circles representing specific triggers.
Label these smaller circles with detailed descriptions of the situations, people, or environments that trigger the emotion.
Analyze Patterns:
Look for patterns or common themes among the triggers for each emotion.
Identify any recurring triggers that appear across multiple emotions.
Reflect on Responses:
For each trigger, write down your typical emotional response.
Consider whether your response was helpful or if it escalated the emotion.
Develop Coping Strategies:
For each trigger, brainstorm and note strategies to manage your response more effectively.
Examples include deep breathing exercises, positive self-talk, taking breaks, engaging in a calming activity, or seeking support from friends or family.
Self-Compassion Statements:
Write compassionate statements to yourself for each emotion, acknowledging that it serves a purpose and that it's okay to experience it.
Review and Adjust:
Regularly review your emotional trigger map and adjust your strategies as needed.
Consider keeping a journal to track your progress and reflect on what works best for you.
What Else:
Below are some of my other favorite bits I found in the past two weeks:
Article: The Woman Who Convinced Me That Everything Bad is Actually Good
Podcast Episode: Inside Out 2 and Other Pixar Mount Rushmore Movies
Book: The Woman
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