Survey reveals emotional control is key to handling conflicts, deadlines, and high-pressure tasks
A new study by PokerStars highlights the importance of emotional control and perception management in the workplace.
It reveals that these skills are just as crucial for sharpening behaviour in professional environments as they are in competitive sports.
The study, conducted among 1,389 Canadians with work experience, found that almost 74 percent admitted to facing situations where maintaining emotional control was necessary, with 37 percent encountering such scenarios weekly or more.
Survey respondents identified several challenging situations, including conflict with colleagues (32 percent), working under tight deadlines (29 percent), and working with strong opinions (29 percent).
Additional challenges included dealing with clients and public speaking (both at 26 percent), meeting high demands (22 percent), and making one’s voice heard (20 percent).
“In both the corporate boardroom and around the poker table, strategically managing your outward persona is essential to gaining an edge over your colleagues and opponents,” said Arlie Shaban, Ontario's representative on PokerStars Team Pro.
“In both environments, a state of emotional frustration or anger can lead to poor decisions and reckless play. Keeping emotions in check helps you to stick to a rational strategy.”
The study also found that controlling facial expressions was the most difficult challenge for 36 percent of workers, followed by tone of voice (35 percent) and a lack of confidence (26 percent).
To help Canadians develop emotional control strategies, PokerStars has partnered with Angela Champ, a Canadian HR expert and leadership coach. “Mastering your emotions is like having a winning hand in poker,” said Champ.
“In today’s fast-paced professional environment, the ability to maintain composure under pressure is not just beneficial—it’s essential.”
Angela Champ and Arlie Shaban have also curated practical tips on improving body language and emotional cues in the workplace, available on the PokerStars blog.
