'Emotions and reason are much more intertwined than we used to think,' argues Monique Schuurmans. From her company Scout, she and her team coach entrepreneurs and C-level leaders. And she wrote the book Real entrepreneurs don't cry.

In the latest episode of the podcast The Work Professor, Schuurmans talks about the essential role of emotions in entrepreneurship. She has practical tips for entrepreneurs and leaders to manage emotions more effectively. Consider being aware of your physical and mental state, creating a supportive environment, and constantly adjusting your approach based on internal and external cues.

The key message: leaders who ignore their emotions often make poorer decisions. And that, in turn, can lead to negative consequences for their companies and teams.

Takeaways from the podcast

Here are five key takeaways from the podcast on the role of emotions in entrepreneurship:

1. Intertwining emotions and reason: recent scientific findings show that our emotional and rational processes in the brain are strongly linked, meaning they work together in our decision-making process.
2. Importance of emotional intelligence: recognizing, understanding and managing one's own and others' emotions can improve the quality of decisions and positively affect overall business operations.
3. The impact of self-care on decision-making: physical and mental health affects our emotional state and therefore our decision-making. Ensure adequate rest, nutrition and relaxation to function optimally.
4. Acknowledging emotions in the workplace: suppressing emotions is often seen as professional, but this can be counterproductive. An open approach where emotions are acknowledged and discussed can create a healthier work environment and lead to better results.
5. The importance of cognitive flexibility: The ability to think flexibly and consider different perspectives is essential in a rapidly changing business environment. This helps you adapt to new situations, find innovative solutions and successfully advance your business.

Listen to the latest episode of the podcast "The Work Professor. Or subscribe via the podcast app of your choice. New episodes appear every two weeks on Mondays.

Do you have questions or input? If so, please contact Wendy van Ierschot at wendy@viepeople.com. Curious about the next guest in 'The Work Professor' or want to be the first to hear the teaser of the next episode? Then follow 'The Work Professor' on LinkedIn..