Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People

Why Your Emotions Don't Have to Control You with Ethan Kross

24 snips
Jun 25, 2025
Ethan Kross, a psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Michigan, dives into the fascinating world of emotional regulation. He discusses how even uncomfortable emotions can be essential tools in navigating life's challenges. Kross introduces 'shifters'—sensory tools, attention strategies, and perspective techniques—that aid in emotional management. He also explores the balance of emotions in Silicon Valley's cutthroat culture, and the importance of personalized emotional toolkits, urging us to harness our inner voice instead of letting it control us.
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INSIGHT

Emotions as Functional Tools

  • Emotions are tools that prepare and motivate us to navigate life's challenges effectively.
  • Even negative emotions like anxiety or anger have a functional purpose for survival and problem-solving.
ANECDOTE

Music as Emotional Regulator

  • Ethan Kross shares how playing a pump-up song helped his daughter shake off a funk before her soccer game.
  • Music served as a quick emotional regulation tool, shifting their moods positively in the car ride.
ADVICE

Use Strategic Attention Deployment

  • Practice strategic attention deployment by choosing when to focus on troubling issues and when to take breaks.
  • Delaying immediate responses to provocative emails helps regulate emotional reactivity and decision-making.
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