I couldn’t stop crying. Months of late evenings and demanding travel had cracked my professional exterior. I tried to present my quarterly numbers while my colleagues squirmed in their seats, offered me a box of tissues, or just stared. My boss abruptly ended the meeting. My colleagues quickly evacuated the room. I was left alone in the conference room, crumpled tissues in hand.
Why Is Crying at Work Such a Big Deal?
Making a normal emotional reaction a normal part of the workplace.
June 19, 2018
Summary.
Crying is a natural act for both sexes, yet most corporate cultures, built and directed by men, are inconsistent in the way people react to crying. For women, crying at work can be professional suicide, while for men, however, it is often applauded as an act of bravery. Since women cry far more often than men, it’s pretty certain that many a promising female manager has had her career derailed by a crying episode. If company leaders are serious about inclusivity, these cultural attitudes to crying must change. Regardless of gender, leaders need to be trained on how to normalize crying as another form of emotional expression. And for their part, women who cry must not be afraid to own their tears.
New!
HBR Learning
Stress Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Stress Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build resilience at work.
Learn More & See All Courses
New!
HBR Learning
Stress Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Stress Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build resilience at work.