PeopleApply emotional intelligenceeasy
During a tense meeting about a missed milestone, a stakeholder criticizes the project manager's competence in front of the team. The project manager notices their own anger rising. What should the project manager do?
- ARecognize the emotional reaction, remain composed, keep the meeting focused on the facts and the recovery plan, and address the stakeholder's concerns separately afterward.
- BRespond immediately and firmly to defend their record in front of the team.
- CEnd the meeting without explanation.
- DRedirect the criticism toward the team members responsible for the delay.
Explanation
Correct answer: ASelf-awareness and self-regulation are the foundation of emotional intelligence, especially under public pressure.
- A
- Correct. Noticing the reaction without acting on it, holding the meeting on course, and handling the interpersonal issue privately demonstrates self-regulation and protects the team.
- B
- Reacting defensively in the moment escalates the tension and shifts the meeting away from the problem that needs solving.
- C
- Walking out avoids the conflict and leaves both the milestone issue and the relationship unresolved.
- D
- Deflecting blame onto the team is a serious leadership failure and destroys trust.