The Myth of Emotions at Work
- Tara Giambrone
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
It’s work, there shouldn’t be any emotions here.
I often hear emotions don’t belong in the workplace. And we’ve all heard the advice: “Leave your emotions at the door.” Yet the idea that emotions have no place at work is not only unrealistic—it’s counterproductive. Emotions are an essential part of being human, and workplaces are made up of humans, not robots. Ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear; it often leads to miscommunication, resentment, and disengagement.
Emotions carry valuable information. Frustration can signal inefficiencies that need attention, excitement can spark innovation, and anxiety can highlight areas where support or clarity is needed. When teams are encouraged to acknowledge and express their feelings constructively, organizations benefit from greater trust, stronger collaboration, and more authentic engagement.
Creating a workplace where emotions are recognized and respected doesn’t mean unfiltered venting—it means fostering psychological safety. It means giving people space to speak openly, listening actively, and responding with empathy and curiosity. When emotions are integrated thoughtfully into the workplace, they become a source of insight, connection, and growth, not a distraction.
At Catalyst, we help organizations integrate emotional awareness into their culture in ways that are productive and human-centered. By fostering psychological safety and coaching leaders to respond with empathy and curiosity, we help teams use emotions as signals for improvement, collaboration, and innovation. Frustration becomes insight, excitement sparks new ideas, and anxiety uncovers opportunities for support and alignment.
Our workshops, leadership development, and culture alignment programs equip teams to acknowledge and manage emotions constructively, turning feelings into actionable intelligence rather than distractions. By partnering with Catalyst Consulting, organizations create workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered—because when emotions are honored, engagement, trust, and performance flourish.