The best leaders normalize emotion at work. Writing what you want to read. Vibe code is legacy code.
One “must” for this week: the best leaders normalize emotion at work
One of the worst advice ever received at work?
Never show your emotions.
Especially if you are upset, it will show you are weak or worse, it will be used against you.
Instead, when I heard a person say in a meeting after receiving bad news "I feel sad. This hurts."
The room didn't collapse. People didn't lose respect for that colleague.
Instead, we started talking honestly about what wasn't working instead of pretending everything was fine.
I realized how wrong that advice about emotions at work was.
They're not distractions, they're information.
When I notice I am tensing up in meetings, that's data. When someone on the team gets quiet, that's worth paying attention to.
I started asking different questions. Instead of "How's the project going?" I'd ask "How are you feeling about where we're at?"
The hardest part is not learning to notice emotions, rather it is unlearning the idea that they don't belong at work.
They're already there whether we acknowledge them or not. The choice is whether we use that information or ignore it.
Making that choice made me a better leader, and also made work feel more human.
What's one emotion you've been ignoring at work lately, and what might it be trying to tell you?
Personal development
Innovation
Leadership and management
One book
“The Second Mountain” by David Brooks.
See you next Saturday,
Roberto
I’m hosting a virtual communication workshop!
Spending hours in virtual meetings can be exhausting 😩
You know the feeling: wondering if people are paying attention, struggling to sound confident through the screen, or just wishing you could connect better in those tiny Zoom boxes.
I’ve been there too.
Since 2020, I’ve spent over 5,000 hours in virtual meetings. Along the way, I’ve learned that being effective online is about so much more than just having a great microphone or camera (and you know how I LOVE a good tech setup 🤖).
That’s why I’ve spent countless hours researching, practicing, and learning how to communicate in virtual settings: how to engage, connect, and leave a lasting impression.
My guiding question has always been, “how do I want the people in this meeting to remember me?”
Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you, and in the process, continue learning myself.
I’m hosting a workshop to help you become a better communicator in virtual settings.
Whether you’re leading meetings, pitching ideas, or just trying to avoid “Zoom fatigue,” this 90-minute session is designed to give you practical tools you can use right away.
🎯 What’s in it for you?
Learn how to make a stronger, more memorable impression from the moment you join a call.
Discover how to use your voice, gestures, and presence to keep people engaged.
Avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the best-prepared sessions.
And yes, we’ll talk about the all-important technical setup, too!
It’s going to be interactive, fun, and useful, and I’d love for you to join! 🤩
What people said last time
In each session, the spots are limited for better interaction, so don’t wait!
🗓️ October 14th 16:00 to 17:30 CET
Interesting point of view. Thanks for sharing. I reposted on LinkedIn