010: The Myth About Emotions At Work

We were told to be “professional” which too often meant “be a robot.” Meg and Jillian unpack why regulated emotion at work is not only human, it’s healthy and productive. From a raw story at the bedside to boardroom norms, they share how leaders can “go first,” how tears and trembles reset the nervous system, and simple micro-practices (20 seconds to 3 minutes) that prevent blowups and build trust.Light advisory: Brief mention of infant loss.Themes we explore:Why “no feelings at work” is a harmful mythArmor vs. authenticity (and how it affects performance)Nervous-system basics: crying, shaking, co-regulationMicro-practices: debriefs, short walks, permission to pauseLeaders go first: modeling regulated emotion and safetyParenting parallels → better management habits“Slow down to speed up”: the business case for humane workQuotes worth remembering:“Crying isn’t cracking. It’s a reset for the nervous system.”“When I see people emotional at work, it shows me that they care.”“Armor doesn’t serve us or our employers. It shuts down the parts of us that could make the biggest impact.”“Leaders go first. When you show your humanity, you give everyone else permission to do the same.”“The worst thing you can say to a child is ‘Don’t cry.’ That’s how we teach people to stuff emotions instead of moving through them.”“Slow down to speed up. Pausing for emotion makes us more effective, not less.”“Be brave enough to go first, even if you’re the only one. That’s how change starts.”TakeawaysRegulated emotion ≠ weakness; it’s how we reset and think clearly.Tiny releases (20s–3m) beat repressed feelings that explode later.Leaders can create micro safe spaces today—no policy change required.We’d love to connect with you.Your reflections, questions, and ah-ha moments mean the world to us. If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend, leave us a review, or connect with us individually.Connect with Jillian:www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-pezet-trellisemail: [email protected] with Meg:Website: www.profoundwellness.netFacebook: facebook.com/megan.fikseInstagram: instagram.com/m.laidlaw