Running a business is often an emotional rollercoaster. There are highs when you close a big deal and lows when things go wrong. But what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who struggle isn’t their ability to avoid tough emotions—it’s how they navigate them. This is where emotional agility, a concept developed by Dr. Susan David, comes into play. Emotional agility is the ability to adapt to life’s ups and downs with an open, flexible mindset, and it’s critical for entrepreneurs and business leaders. Let’s explore why emotional agility is a key ingredient in running a successful business.

1. What is Emotional Agility?

Emotional agility is a process that allows us to deal with our thoughts and emotions in a healthy, productive way. Instead of being controlled by our feelings or ignoring them, emotional agility teaches us to accept and work with them.

In business, this is essential. Stress, uncertainty, and setbacks are part and parcel of the entrepreneurial journey. How you respond to these challenges—whether you become reactive, stuck in your feelings, or adaptive—can make or break your business. Emotional agility gives you the tools to stay grounded in the face of adversity, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

2. Facing Your Emotions, Not Avoiding Them

As a business owner, you’ll experience a full spectrum of emotions: fear when finances get tight, frustration when things don’t go as planned, or even joy when you hit a big milestone. The key is not to push away these emotions but to recognise and address them.

According to Susan David, suppressing or ignoring emotions doesn’t make them go away—it actually makes them stronger. When we avoid our feelings, we can become stuck, making poor decisions based on fear or discomfort. Emotional agility teaches us to face emotions head-on, acknowledge them, and then choose how to act with clarity.

For instance, feeling anxious about an important meeting is natural. Instead of brushing the anxiety aside or letting it take over, emotionally agile leaders notice it, name it ("I’m feeling anxious about this meeting"), and then use it as a signal to prepare more effectively.

3. Stepping Back and Gaining Perspective

One of the key components of emotional agility is learning to take a step back from your emotions and view them with perspective. Dr. Susan David refers to this as "seeing your thoughts and feelings for what they are—just thoughts and feelings—not facts."

In business, emotions can cloud judgment. A bad day might lead you to think your entire strategy is flawed, or frustration with a team member might lead you to make rash decisions. Emotional agility helps you recognise when emotions are driving your thinking and encourages you to pause, gain perspective, and make more rational decisions.

Rather than being reactive, you become more responsive. This is critical when leading a team, negotiating deals, or making high-stakes decisions. Taking a step back allows you to evaluate situations more objectively and find creative solutions instead of reacting out of frustration or fear.

4. Embrace Discomfort to Drive Innovation

Innovation thrives on the edge of discomfort. As Susan David explains, being emotionally agile means being willing to experience the discomfort that comes with change, uncertainty, and growth. Successful business leaders don’t shy away from difficult emotions like fear or uncertainty—they embrace them as part of the process.

In fact, the willingness to experience discomfort can be a competitive advantage. It encourages you to push boundaries, try new things, and take risks. Building a business requires constant experimentation and a tolerance for failure. If you’re emotionally agile, you’ll see these failures not as personal setbacks, but as valuable learning experiences that help drive your business forward.

5. Align Your Actions with Your Values

A core tenet of emotional agility is acting in alignment with your values. When we’re under pressure or facing difficult circumstances, it’s easy to make decisions based on immediate feelings—such as frustration, impatience, or fear—rather than on what really matters to us.

For business leaders, staying true to your values during stressful times is vital. Emotional agility encourages you to pause and reflect on what’s most important before making a decision. Whether it’s how you treat your employees, how you respond to a difficult client, or how you handle a strategic decision, acting from your values helps you maintain integrity and build trust.

In practical terms, this might mean responding to a difficult situation with empathy rather than frustration, or making long-term decisions that reflect your mission, even when short-term pressures feel overwhelming.

6. Emotional Agility Helps Build Resilient Teams

As a leader, your emotional agility not only affects you but also influences your team. When your team sees you managing stress in a constructive way, it sets the tone for how they should handle challenges. Emotional agility fosters an open, flexible work environment where people feel safe to express themselves and navigate their own emotions productively.

By modelling emotional agility, you encourage your team to face their emotions, adapt to changes, and remain flexible in the face of adversity. This builds resilience, which is essential for navigating the inevitable ups and downs of business life.

7. Practical Steps to Build Emotional Agility

So, how do you cultivate emotional agility in your own life and business? Here are a few steps, based on Susan David’s work, to help you get started:

• Recognise Your Emotions: When you feel stressed, anxious, or frustrated, name the emotion. Simply acknowledging how you’re feeling can help defuse its power.

• Accept, Don’t Avoid: Don’t try to push away negative feelings. Allow yourself to experience them without judgment.

• Step Back: Distance yourself from your emotions by observing them without letting them dictate your actions. Ask yourself, “Is this a thought or a fact?”

• Align with Your Values: Before making decisions, take a moment to reflect on your core values and ensure your actions align with them.

• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help you stay present, increase self-awareness, and manage emotions.

Conclusion: Emotional Agility is the Key to Long-Term Success

Emotional agility is a powerful skill for any business leader. By learning to manage your emotions, stay flexible, and act in line with your values, you can navigate the complexities of running a business with greater clarity and resilience. As Susan David’s work shows, the ability to embrace discomfort, learn from failure, and face emotions head-on is essential for thriving in today’s unpredictable business world.

So, the next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, remember that emotional agility is not about avoiding your emotions—it’s about using them as a tool to move forward with purpose and intention.