Are Women Too Emotional at Work?

It’s happened to most of us at one time or another: the promotion goes to someone else or you are blamed for another’s failure. Frustration at work can lead to temper or tears. Warning – that may fuel stereotypes that women are too emotional to be effective leaders.

A Penn State University study found that when men cry, they are often viewed as sensitive and caring, while when women cry, they are frequently seen as incompetent.

“In male-dominated industries and, really, the business world in general, stereotypes die hard, and one of the most common is that women are too emotional to be effective leaders or managers,” says Roxanne Rivera, author of There’s No Crying in Business.

If you do feel you might become emotional at work, excuse yourself, says Forbes.com.

WomensMedia.com shares strategies for communicating with guys, like get to the point quickly, don’t engage in power struggles, focus on facts and be clear about your goals.

Sometimes, crying and frustration may suggest that your job isn’t the right fit for you. And continued breakdowns may result in lost promotions or even getting fired, according to Boston.com.

PINK Profile: Being able to engage with others by using emotional intelligence may increase your success. Here’s how.

By Cynthia Good

“To wear your heart on your sleeve isn’t a very good plan; you should
wear it inside, where it functions best.” Margaret Thatcher