Module 5: Emotional Flexibility

The concept I found most important from module five was Emotional Flexibility. Emotional Flexibility is the most important to me because it is the concept I need to improvement the most on. I witnessed the implications of not applying Emotional Flexibility when I was a newly promoted SSgt. I was the primary point of contact for managing our flights monthly award program. I was pleased with the results of my efforts but my Superintendent didn’t feel quite the same.
He ordered me to immediately increase the number of squadron level award winners by collecting award packages from every person within our shop, every month. During a role call the next morning I requested every person submit a rough draft award package to me every month for award consideration. Grumbling commenced almost immediately amongst all the ranks. I immediately took it as a personal attack and criticized the NCOs for not supporting a request from a fellow NCO.
My fellow NCOs tried to explain their grumbling was toward the Superintendent. A fellow NCO and I shared some strong willed words that concluded as a screaming match between the two of us. Around two weeks later a friend of mine mentioned his frustration with the Superintendent in regard to his cloak and dagger approach to increase the Airmen’s awards so he had some additional EPR
Supervisors will be able to engage with their subordinates and collectively engage in methods to adjust to the needs of the individual and the mission. Peers will benefit from this concept through being aware of stressors and emotional needs amongst the office. The bi-weekly sessions will allow peers to proactively share their stressors and find ways to step in to adapt and assist when needed and also provide peers additional understanding and patience when fellow peers are having emotional disparities from their