Where there are humans, there's emotion

What’s gained by the persistent pretence that work and emotion don’t mix? 

Take the UK, where there’s a cultural desire to keep a ‘stiff upper lip’.  This attitude can prevail as much among posh Lords as proud working Northerners. Supposedly, many simply ‘don’t do emotion’. And they most definitely ‘don’t do emotion’ at work. 

This would, of course, mean they are more robocop than human and it’s a load of drivel. Emotions guide you, whatever you’d like to imagine. However many rational reasons you unearth for your decisions, the strongest driver is often emotional. 

And here’s the crux: pretending not to feel is ignoring intelligence. It makes us all poorer. It’s a surefire way to know yourself less well and be a little less in charge of yourself. Think about it: there’s something in you that you’re pretending isn’t there. 

That’s not to say you need to “let it all hang out” and react emotionally to whatever comes your way. In fact, you’re far more likely to ‘react’ if you’re pretending you ‘don’t do’ emotions. They’ll easily hijack you. 

You will be far better informed both about yourself and those around you if you notice, acknowledge, feel and learn from the emotions that come up for you. You’ll be able to choose what to take from the intelligence your feelings give you – and be a better leader, team member, partner and friend. 

So who do you want to be? Pretend robocop or clever (and feeling) human?