This paper shares the results of a study examining problematic thought patterns (called cognitive distortions) and emotion-focused, self-influence techniques called emotion regulation strategies relate to leadership. The results of this study offer the following insights:
- Leaders’ frequency of cognitive distortions related to all examined workplace topics (role ambiguity, role conflict, social support, perceived organizational support, job satisfaction, and burnout).
- Leaders’ use of emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and cognitive defusion) mitigated the impact their cognitive distortions had on burnout, specifically.
- Attempting to suppress emotional responses was relatively ineffective compared to the other two emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and cognitive defusion).
