With 35+ years of professional and Human Resources experience and a PhD in organizational psychology, I have learned that organizations that recognize the emotions of their people increase motivation, loyalty, and teamwork. As we are facing unprecedented health, economic, and social challenges, companies that have prioritized understanding and supporting the whole person, including the person’s feelings and emotions, have a competitive advantage.
Yet paying attention to employees’ emotions often remains countercultural, despite the popular emphasis on “bringing your whole self to work.” That phrase tends to mean “bring us your energy, ideas, and creativity but not your confusion, sadness, or pain.”
