Emotions at Work: What We’ve Learned About Ourselves and Each Other
Over the past several weeks, we’ve explored the many places we go when emotions show up at work. In the moments when we feel stretched, inspired, uncertain, or human, we know something is happening internally, but we aren’t always the best at explaining those things verbally to the people we work with (or even ourselves).
In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown writes that naming our emotions doesn’t give them more power, it gives us the power of understanding, meaning, and choice. That idea has guided this entire series. Because when we can name what we’re really feeling, we can respond with clarity, empathy, and courage And that changes everything about how we work together.
Here’s a look back at where we’ve been:
Places We Go When Things Don’t Go as Planned
When expectations don’t match reality, emotions like disappointment, regret, and discouragement rise to the surface. We learned that “I’m frustrated” is often just the beginning and that naming what’s really happening opens the door to reflection, not reactivity.
Read the full post: Things Don’t Go as Planned
Places We Go When We Search for Connection
Work is about more than tasks. It’s about belonging. We unpacked insecurity, loneliness, and disconnection, and remembered that true belonging never requires us to betray who we are.
Read the full post: Search for Connection
Places We Go When We Fall Short
Perfectionism, guilt, and shame are frequent visitors in the workplace. But so is self-compassion. We discovered that falling short is part of mastery and that learning to be kind to ourselves is a professional skill, not a personal indulgence.
Read the full post: When We Fall Short
Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain or Too Much
“Stressed” and “overwhelmed” aren’t the same thing. We explored the difference and the deeper emotions that accompany uncertainty, like worry, anxiety, dread, and vulnerability. The kitchen metaphor reminded us: stressed is being in the weeds, overwhelmed is being blown.
Read the full post: When Things Are Uncertain or Too Much
Places We Go When Things Aren’t What They Seem
Finally, we sat with the complexity of bittersweetness, cognitive dissonance, and the tension of holding two truths at once. Because work (like life!) is full of contradictions, and it takes courage to sit in the nuance rather than simplify it.
Read the full post: When Things Aren’t What They Seem
What This Series Has Taught Us
We’ve learned that:
Emotional literacy is a leadership skill.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s evidence of courage.
When we name what’s really going on, we don’t just help ourselves! We help our teams communicate, collaborate, and care for each other better.
Emotions at work aren’t distractions from the “real” work. They are the real work of being human together.
Go Deeper: Emotions at Work Workshop
If your team is ready to build language and confidence around emotions at work, book our 2-hour virtual workshop. You’ll learn how to move beyond “fine,” develop shared emotional vocabulary, and build the kind of trust that transforms how teams work together.
Learn more → https://www.nimbleup.com/emotionsatwork