I recently watched this video from The Atlantic, Is it Okay to Cry at Work?

http://www.theatlantic.com/video/iframe/474195/

During the last six years with my former employer, I was lucky to work remotely from my peers and manager. So on a particularly bad day, I could hang up the phone and have a good cry either in a conference room or at my office at home without anyone really knowing. I do remember a specific incident when I was meeting a mentor/senior executive for coffee and a personal situation had sent me over the edge. It was nothing work related, which I think helped, and he was completely understanding. As embarrassed as I was for being unprofessional, it was never brought up again and I was thankful for his kindness.

Tina Fey wrote in her book, Bossypants, “Some people say, “Never let them see you cry.” I say, if you’re so mad you could just cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.”

Tina’s approach is true for me in my current role. Lately, when I’ve cried at home in front of the girls, they stop whatever they are doing that has pushed me to tears and bring me their stuffed animals, blankets, and ice packs from the freezer. It’s adorable and funny and snaps us all back to reality.

Do you hold back emotions at work or do you let a few tears slip every now and again? (Here’s a tip from Joanna Goddard on how to stop yourself!)

Regardless of how crying at work is received for you, I love what how the man at the end answered the question, “What do you think of people who cry at work?” He replied, “I think they are people.”