Humanizing the Workplace: The Importance of Emotional Well-Being

In the workplace, being told to “leave your emotions at the door” is an all-too-common experience. But is it realistic, or even beneficial, to expect employees to shut down their feelings in pursuit of productivity? Reflecting on my own journey, I realized that ignoring emotions isn’t just unhelpful; it’s counterproductive. In this blog, we explore why emotional intelligence, empathy, and open expression are essential to humanizing the workplace and creating a space that values not just skills but the complete human experience.

I had just ended a seven-year-long relationship and was utterly devastated. Around the same time, I joined an advertising agency as an intern. It was one of the hardest times of my life. I would go into the bathroom, cry my eyes out, and return to my desk with red eyes but a determination to work.

I’ll never forget what my manager told me during this time: “Please leave your emotional issues at home, as they interfere with work.” This lack of emotional intelligence was startling and made me acutely aware of the widespread inability of people to deal with emotions in the workplace.

As a development professional, I’ve lost count of the times leaders have said, “Let’s not get into emotions. That doesn’t matter to the bottom line. What skills can we build to enhance productivity?” 

But does it really not matter?

As a psychologist, I know for a fact that unresolved emotions are at the core of all interpersonal issues. How can they not be addressed?

The way we handle our emotions shapes everything that matters: our actions, careers, relationships, health, and happiness. Research consistently shows that when people are allowed to feel their emotions and have safe conversations around them, it helps them bring their best selves to work. Yet, we lack a system for acknowledging and resolving emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

Here is a 2X2 matrix that I created to help answer these questions:

Many emotions are labelled as messy and difficult and are kept out of the workplace. However, these very emotions are the cornerstone of resilience, thriving, and true, authentic happiness. Diversity isn’t just about people; it’s also about what’s INSIDE people, including the diversity of emotions. This is where humanizing the workplace plays such an important role. 

What will it take for us to build cultures—whether in organisations, families, or communities—that are open to normal human emotions?

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