Many managers and leaders are not comfortable when things get emotional. Those in leadership positions may feel it is not professional to cry. But the reality is most people (and even some of your best) can’t just drop their emotions in the lobby before they come to work, or drop them in a bucket when they surface on the job. And as leaders we can’t leave caring and compassion at the office door.
I don’t think the objective should ever be to get the person to stop crying – unless of course they are hysterical and the crying is inappropriate. But instead leaders should first seek to understand why.
Here are five things I have personally done when someone has started to cry...
