Debunking the Myth of Showing Emotions at Work
By Delphine Ang
For too long, we believe that emotions have no place at work. We were told that displaying emotions is a sign of weakness and certainly a no-no in the workplace. We would be seen as unprofessional and consider it a career suicide should we let our deep feelings show.
On the contrary, there are tons of empirical evidence revealing that there are great benefits to us showing more of our emotions in the workplace. According to a research done by Google, leaders and team members are more productive and innovative when they feel free and safe to express their emotions, fears and concerns at work.
In the latest research done by LinkedIn, two-thirds (65%) of workers say that displaying more emotions at work have made them more productive and nearly half (49%) are comfortable doing so now compared to pre-pandemic. Fifty-four percent say that being more open with their feelings have made them less anxious.
When employees have supportive environments where they can share their feelings and connect with one another, they increase their abilities to collaborate, develop new ideas and problem-solve. Organisations that create a climate of authenticity and build a culture that harnesses the power of emotions thrive! Nurturing a strong and healthy emotional culture not only enhances the emotional and mental wellbeing of your employees but also boosts your company's bottom-line. Your organisation's emotional culture influences employees' satisfaction, teamwork, loyalty, creativity including key performance indicators like productivity and absenteeism. Ignoring your feelings or masking them no longer serve you or your organisation.
Employees at Ubiquity Retirement + Savings (a US-based company) punch out each day as they leave their workplace. They register their emotions by pushing one of the five buttons - a smiley face if they were happy at work, a frowny face if they felt sad and so on. This is not a HR gimmick nor a way to impose toxic positivity. This is part of Ubiquity's strategies to find out what motivates their employees and how to build a sense of belonging, inclusivity, satisfaction and excitement at work.
By allowing and embracing emotions at work, leaders can positively impact the work environment. They can and should also choose to intentionally shape and build a strong emotional culture that values strong emotions like care, kindness, compassion, trust, joy and even fun.
As leaders, model the emotions you want to cultivate.
Have you ever gone to work and wondered what the 'corporate weather' would be like depending on the mood of your boss?
You are the thermostat for your organisation. If you want your employees to be happy at work, go to work with high energy and smile. You will likely find your people more at ease around you and even spark a culture of joy at work. If you often wear a stern and angry expression at work, you will infect your people with your negativity.
Brain science shows that we have mirror neurons and we mimic the emotions and actions we see in others around us.
If you wonder why your people are showing up the way they do at work. take a look at your own facial expressions and body language.
Are you a thermometer that measures the 'emotional temperature' of your environment and be subjected to it?
Or are you a thermostat that sets the mood for your workplace?
Be a thermostat for your workplace. You have a choice not only to set a positive culture for your environment, but also internationally harness the power of emotions and THRIVE!
