11 Feb Are Your Emotions Leading Your Decision Making?

Posted at 11:56h in Business, GI SAID IT, Philosophy, Psychology by

Here’s another tough truth most people don’t want to admit. Chances are that your emotions are screwing with your decision making. Especially in business. Especially in life. If you’re letting your emotions “Jesus take the wheel” while being unaware of them, then chances are you’re driving straight into a wall.

THE REALITY CHECK ABOUT EMOTION-BASED DECISIONS

Stop glamorizing your feelings as some kind of “Jedi inner guide.” Your emotions are not reality. They’re just your perception of reality. Think about it… how many times have you felt something so strongly, only to look back later and realize you were way off? You thought someone was upset with you and turns out they weren’t. You felt like an idea was too risky and turns out it wasn’t. Here’s the issue; when you base decisions on emotion, you’re basing choices on distortions of temporary feelings.

WHY EMOTION-DRIVEN DECISIONS FAIL:

**Lack of Objectivity:** You can’t see the whole picture if your emotions are clouding your judgment.

**Emotional Bias:** Decisions influenced by feelings are more about satisfying yourself than solving the actual problem.

**Unstable Ground:** Feelings change day to do, moment to moment. Your big picture strategies shouldn’t.

BUSINESS ISN’T ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS

Now, this one might sting and make a few people send me some poorly worded emails I’ll ignore. If you’re in business, your emotions don’t really matter. Your decisions need to be rooted in logic, facts, and strategy; not in what feels good.

I’ve worked with countless CEOs and business leaders, and here’s a pattern I’ve noticed.

There are two types of decision-makers:

The Strategist

They’re focused on growth, efficiency, and achieving the goal. Their emotions are left at the door.

The Ego-Driven CEO

These are the folks chasing power, recognition, or whatever gives them a quick emotional high. Their decisions reflect their own insecurities, not the needs of the business. They micromanage to feel in control, say “yes” to bad deals because they want to be liked, or obsess over how things make them feel. Guess how many of these businesses thrive? None. Zero. I’ve literally never seen it.

WHY?
Because emotional decision-making blinds you to what the business really needs. Growth isn’t about how decisions feel to you; it’s about the outcome they deliver.

THE BROADER IMPACT OF EMOTION (OR FEAR) ON PERSONAL GROWTH

Now, before you think this problem only exists in the C-Suite, let’s bring it down to a personal level. Fear, insecurity, and doubt? They’re crippling your decision-making across your personal life as well.

Think about a time when fear stopped you from pursuing a lucrative opportunity. Maybe it was applying for that promotion you didn’t think you’d get or starting a new project that seemed “too big.” Fear whispered in your ear, “You’re not good enough,” and you believed it. The end result? You stayed in your safe little box playing with your toys that felt safe. And that decision felt right in the moment. But in hindsight? It kept you small and stuck where you are.

EMOTIONAL MATURITY = PERSONAL PROGRESS

The difference between those who reach success and those who stagnate comes down to their ability to regulate their emotions. Emotional maturity isn’t about ignoring fear or anxiety. It’s understanding that fear is a reaction you temporarily feel, not a long term fact.

Showing courage means saying, “I feel scared, but the logic points to action being needed.” It’s about getting out of your own way.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION IS THE REAL SUPERPOWER

If you want to succeed, whether in business or in life, you’ve got to master emotional regulation. It’s not about being a robot, it’s about control over yourself. Here’s what you need to understand:

Check Your Feelings, Don’t Ignore Them

Your emotions exist for a reason. They’re great for checking in with yourself or reflecting after a decision is made. But they’re not where decision-making begins.

Start With Logic

Take emotion out of the equation when you need results. What does reality say? What strategies have proven success? Use that as your foundation.

Balance Both Worlds

Once you’ve decided based on logic, bring emotion back into the equation, but not to change your choice. Check in with how your decisions sit with you and your values, and regulate from there.

For example, if you’re constantly stressed about the path you’ve chosen, maybe rationally reconsider your pace, not the destination. Although sometimes your chosen path may not be for you.

DON’T JUST “FEEL GOOD”, BE EFFECTIVE

Don’t get me wrong, feelings are important, but they’re rarely what gets the job done. Your decisions, especially in important situations, should align with logic and long-term impact. They should prioritize results, not quick comfort.

Does this mean being an emotionally detached robot 24/7? No. It means being mature enough to know when your feelings are valuable and when they’re a hinderance.

GI Griffin is a brutally honest cultural commentator and author, founder of The Tribe Academy, and host of the GI SAID IT show where bold perspective meets unfiltered truth. Known for his no-BS insights on human behavior and modern culture, GI challenges conventional thinking, exposes uncomfortable truths, and delivers bold insights for independent minds. View his show & essays here, or subscribe to his FREE newsletter here.

 

More From GI Griffin:

Your Maturity Is Determined By Your Level of Accountability
How To Think Like A CEO
The Art of Looking at Yourself Honestly