Why Feelings and Emotions Matter at Work

Picture it.?

Open, honest, and vulnerable communication is organically flowing. Feedback and conflicts are happening in healthy, productive ways. Engagement, retention, productivity, and results are off the chart. Your people feel seen, heard, and know they matter and belong.

This is the culture you nurture when feelings/emotions are embraced at work. When you intentionally lead with your heart and not just mind.

During good times, it can feel more comfortable to embrace them. After all, who doesn’t enjoy sharing in feelings of happiness, joy, and excitement!?

Feelings and emotions matter during the bad times too. Especially during the bad times. Recession. Layoffs. Chaotic and constant change. Wars and hate. The list goes on. During tough times, the acknowledgement and expression of emotions/feelings can lead to a reduction in stress and the negative impact on one’s health, improved relationships, and stronger bonds.

Need some nudges on how to welcome emotions and feelings into the workplace? Try these.?

Lead by example:

Demonstrate to your team that it’s okay to share emotions by doing so yourself. Not comfortable sharing your own emotions? That’s okay. Let your team know that feelings and emotions matter to you, that this is an area you recognize is out of your comfort zone, and are working on. Being vulnerable is not a weakness. It builds comfort, connection, and trust, and speaks to your emotional intelligence.

Connect on a personal level:

In your conversations (whether formal 1:1s or “passing in the hall” exchanges), go ahead and check-in on the individual personally. For example, if one of your team members recently had a parent in the hospital for surgery, ask them how their Mom or Dad is doing…how have they themselves been doing…is there anything you can support them with. Get to know your team members as a whole person, and not just the professional.

Encourage open communication:

Enable optimal conditions for each team member to feel comfortable in expressing themselves. Observe and learn each person’s preferred communication style. Do they like being able to talk things through aloud? Do they prefer to reflect first and share feedback after the team meeting? For virtual meetings, are they comfortable being on camera…using chat over coming off mute to share?

Recognize achievements and challenges:

Celebrate successes, no matter how big or small. Acknowledge difficulties to validate emotions and experiences.

And just as importantly…

Nurture your self-awareness and emotional intelligence:

A wise colleague of mine recently opined that great leaders share 2 key elements: common sense and self-awareness. So true! Before you can effectively lead others, you need to understand yourself. What motivates and drives you, what are you good at, not so good at, what is holding you back, etc. And also – how well do you understand and manage your emotions, and those of your team.

It's been a very tough couple of weeks. I’m feeling sad, scared, and worried. I'm still processing things, and need space to work through my anxiety.

How about you, dear reader? How are you feeling? What support would be helpful to you?

If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. Just a DM away.

With heart, Kris