The six-basic-moods-of-life framework is a logical way to understand some common moods. Three are un-resourceful if you get trapped in them and three are resourceful moods worth cultivating in the workplace. This interpretation of moods is particularly useful for the workplace because it does not focus on a persons feelings (the felt experience when in a mood or emotion) which are private and not the business of their work colleagues, but on their stories and assessments of the future which are highly relevant to the people they work with.  If you assess that what’s happening is unfair and there is nothing you can do about it, your actions are likely to be very different from assessing that while you don’t like how things are you accept that they are as they are (putting yourself ‘on the map’ so to speak) and are committed to improving the situation. In the language of moods this is the difference between being in resentment and resignation rather than acceptance and ambition.

I invite you to observe the moods and emotions of yourself and the people around you over the next few days.

• Which of these six moods do you notice?
• What other moods do you notice?
• Which moods do you find to be resourceful and support you to build positive relationships and get important work done?
• What moods are you in about the moods of the people around you?