The weight of unspoken emotions at work
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much energy it takes to hold back emotions at work. The deep breath before a meeting where you know you’ll have to tread carefully. The moment you swallow your frustration because you don’t want to seem “too much.” The anxiety before a difficult conversation. The times you wonder if you’re the only one feeling something but say nothing anyway.
For a long time, I thought the goal was to keep emotions out of work. To be professional. To be composed. To focus on solutions. But the more I’ve worked with people—leaders, teams, individuals—the clearer it’s become: emotions are already there. They show up in the way we communicate (or don’t), in the decisions we make, and in the dynamics we navigate.
The real skill isn’t shutting emotions down. It’s learning how to recognize, understand, and work with them.
That’s what we do in Navigating Emotions at Work (NEAW)—and if you’re ready to explore this, I’d love for you to join us in the upcoming cohort starting March 13th.
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Why emotions matter in the workplace
For a long time, I resisted my emotions at work. I was good at compartmentalizing, keeping things “professional,” and pushing through. But under the surface? Exhaustion. Overwhelm. Irritation. Frustration I didn’t know how to voice.
Maybe you recognize that feeling too—the weight of navigating work when you’re carrying unspoken stress, uncertainty, anger, or emotional exhaustion. Or maybe you’ve been on the other side, trying to create a healthier dynamic in your team but unsure how to bring emotions into the conversation without it becoming messy.
This work isn’t just about improving your experience of work (though that’s a huge part of it). It’s about learning how emotions impact your decisions, leadership, collaboration, and communication—so you can navigate work with more clarity, confidence, and ease.
What happens in Navigating Emotions at Work?
NEAW is a 5-session program where we dive into emotions in a way that’s practical, thoughtful, and deeply engaging. It’s a small, intimate group (6-10 people) that meets every other Thursday—giving you space to integrate what you learn between sessions.
Each session is a mix of theory and practice, where you’ll engage in activities like:
Role play (to practice real-life scenarios)
1:1 conversation (to make sense of your experience)
Reflection (to build deeper emotional awareness)
Group discussion (to discuss your challenges and insights with peers)
It’s a space where you’re not just learning passively—you’re practicing, experimenting, and figuring out what this looks like in your work life.
Most importantly, it’s a space where you don’t have to do it alone.
Two of my favorite things about NEAW:
The focus on practicing and experimenting: It’s not just about learning new tools and frameworks, it’s about applying them in a way that works for you in your work life. As coaches and facilitators, we’ve crafted a range of activities to help you explore and practice different ways of showing up, so you’re equipped to face real-life situations with more confidence and ease.
The collective learning experience: As part of a small group, you’ll have access to different perspectives, professional experiences, and immediate feedback loops. You’re not the only one who feels annoyed at your colleague, frustrated when your ideas aren’t heard, or resentful when boundaries are crossed. Past participants have consistently shared how valuable and supportive it is to connect with others navigating similar terrain.
Is this for you?
NEAW is for people who care about the experience of work. People who want to communicate better, strengthen their work relationships, lead more effectively, or simply feel less drained by the emotional weight of their jobs.
If you’re in a place where you’re ready to invest in your professional development—and know that personal growth is part of that journey—this is for you.
Join us in March
The next cohort of Navigating Emotions at Work starts March 13th.
If you’re curious, take a look. If you have questions, send me a message. And if this is calling to you, I’d love to have you in the group.
📋 Secure your spot for the March Cohort
Let me know what resonates with you from this. What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to navigating emotions at work? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear.