It’s My Job….And I’ll Cry If I Want To….

I just happened to be working from home one day and a newscast on MSNBC caught my ear….on crying in the workplace.

How should emotions be controlled in a professional environment?

Apparently, according to Ann Kreamer (author of It’s Always Personal: Emotion in the New Workplace ), workplace anxiety is both commonplace and problematic for many. While this factoid certainly did not surprise me, the results of Kreamer’s study on reactions to unveiled (i.e., exposed) emotions in the workplace were shocking:

Women view other women who cry at work as unstable.

Men view other women who cry at work as unprofessional.

Those are strong judgments!!!! I get the need to be professional, to a fault, particularly in today’s competitive environment which demands that we all raise our standards on a daily basis. And, I am the poster child for professionalism, often overlooking even the most basic social niceties and getting directly to the point or project at hand. Yet, for me, something is definitely missing.

We are Human BEINGs not Human DOINGs.

How many of us have not had “those moments” at work – where life, work stress and someone or something – took us over the edge? Perhaps our voice raised a few decibels, our throat got choked up, or we shed a few (or many) tears in public or private? I certainly had MANY of these moments managing projects that would not end and clients that would not cooperate. And, although over time, I have learned to manage my reactions more effectively – in those very human moments, sheer frustration and exhaustion were my truths.

So, raise your hand…I would venture to say that there are actually going to be many who can attest to that prize-winning status of never showing your weak side at work. But, I would go one step further and say that society is holding us to an unhealthy and unrealistic standard – not to mention false and inauthentic.

In [my] weakest moments, and those of my own staff over the years, I much prefer to have the issue and accompanying emotions acknowledged with compassion, and then guidance provided on how to address it…this does not mean pamper nor babysit, but it does mean understand.

I see compassion, understanding and guidance as closely tied to longevity, results and productivity. So, sue me, or…try a little kindness

Wishing You Success,
Natalya

Image Courtesy of: blogs.forbes.com