This mantra is often heard at work: Keep your emotions out of the workplace. Leave all that stuff at home! As an L&D facilitator and coach, I come across this mindset a lot.

Emotions are not bad. In fact, they are not good either. They are simply functional—they serve a function or purpose in our daily lives. They alert us when something unfair happens. They help us to be competitive and resilient. They can tell us when we should be reserved or quiet or when compassion is needed. So, leaving emotions out of the workplace would rob the organization of the great results, commitments, and relationships that start with our feelings.

Here’s what people usually mean when they say _emotions don't belong at work—_they mean the “bad” emotions don't belong at work. Leaders are fine with excitement, enthusiasm, and feelings of happiness. It’s easier to see how those feelings can lead to desired outcomes. However, what happens when fear, sadness, or anger join us on the job. How can these emotions possibly have a positive impact at work?

These emotions can (and do) come up at work in all of us! In fact, the workplace itself can be a trigger for these feelings. If you know someone who isn’t expressing emotions, that doesn’t mean they lack them. We all have the same emotions, which stem from the amygdala in the brain. If someone seems emotionless, that probably means they don’t display their emotions openly and that could be an intentional practice.

Let’s look at some situations or occurrences that could trigger our emotions at work:

Fear.

Have you ever been afraid at work? I certainly have. Remember, worry and anxiety are fear-based emotions. You might find yourself worried if there are talks of layoffs in your department. You might be anxious if there is a threat of violence. It’s OK to be afraid sometimes. Fear motivates us to do something to protect ourselves or avoid a negative outcome.

Sadness.

Sadness can be difficult to cope with—in or out of the office. Identifying the source, can be a good starting point though. If a co-worker passes away, that could certainly trigger feelings of grief. If you or someone else is hurt or mistreated, that could make you sad as well. It’s OK to feel sad at work because it's through this sadness that we can relate to others and show empathy.

Anger.

Sometimes anger is triggered by a perceived injustice or wrongdoing. If someone feels undervalued or unheard, that could anger them. Or, if they feel like they are continually passed up for promotions or other opportunities, they might get mad. It is OK to feel anger at work because that feeling is a signal. It could mean it’s time to have a conversation or take action to resolve or address the issue.

Let’s be accepting of all our emotions—whenever they arise. The key is to choose the most appropriate response for the situation—a response that will be productive, respectful, and honorable.

Keep your emotions out of the workplace? Leave all that stuff at home?! If your organization still abides by these misconceptions, you could help enlighten them on the benefits of emotions.

For a deeper dive, join me during the ATD 2022 International Conference & EXPO for the session, “Emotional Intelligence at Work."