There's No Crying in Leadership!

Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes, humble enough to admit them, strong enough to absorb the pain, and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving.

I recently had a lengthy discussion with a few other men and women leaders. We were discussing the skills needed to become a great leader.

We discussed several things, but one topic emerged that truly bothered me. It was the subject of crying in leadership. The suggestion was made that crying was inappropriate if you're in a leadership position.

I challenged this thought process by asking everyone if they felt the same that crying was inappropriate for leaders in the workplace, and everyone (some reluctantly) agreed that crying as a leader in the workplace was, in fact, inappropriate.

This disturbed me greatly. At the time, I politely disagreed and let the conversation continue even though I wanted to express how much I completely disagreed with their assessment.

When you identify what makes you cry, and tap into it, you receive a major piece of the puzzle for your purpose, your why, and begin seeing your pathway to a life that matters.

If it's fair to ask, "What do you think about a leader who cries openly," isn't it also appropriate to ask, "What do you think about a leader who laughs openly?" Are we judging leaders by the existence of certain emotions? Are we not permitted to experience a particular feeling as a leader?

The fact that I acquiesced in the discussion and didn't push back frustrated me, and I was caught off guard by the archaic and misconstrued precept that was being forced down my throat. The distorted perspective that believes leaders can't cry is nothing short of absurd.

The implication being it's a sign of weakness!

As long as an expression of ANY emotion does not genuinely diminish the efficacy of our leadership, then be who you are. It's your authenticity that ultimately makes you a better leader. People will see you as a real person, not some distant figurehead who couldn't care less about their people.

Crying over your people's success, when you know where they started, the changes they've had to make, and the obstacles they've had to overcome isn't weakness, its the greatest strength you could ever have!!

The idea of reducing certain emotions because they suggest weakness is a complete lack of understanding of the human condition. Emotions are the most significant element of our humanity.

If we ask for less than human qualities in our leaders, the result will be less than human results from that leader as well as the humans they lead.

Live your life passionately and be the leader you were called to be. Let the emotions of your heart express who you are and who you're becoming.

Become the leader people actually want to work for; that's where greatness begins in leadership.