We were told to be “professional” which too often meant “be a robot.” Meg and Jillian unpack why regulated emotion at work is not only human, it’s healthy and productive. From a raw story at the bedside to boardroom norms, they share how leaders can “go first,” how tears and trembles reset the nervous system, and simple micro-practices (20 seconds to 3 minutes) that prevent blowups and build trust.
Light advisory: Brief mention of infant loss.
Themes we explore:
- Why “no feelings at work” is a harmful myth
- Armor vs. authenticity (and how it affects performance)
- Nervous-system basics: crying, shaking, co-regulation
- Micro-practices: debriefs, short walks, permission to pause
- Leaders go first: modeling regulated emotion and safety
- Parenting parallels → better management habits
- “Slow down to speed up”: the business case for humane work
Quotes worth remembering:
- “Crying isn’t cracking. It’s a reset for the nervous system.”
- “When I see people emotional at work, it shows me that they care.”
- “Armor doesn’t serve us or our employers. It shuts down the parts of us that could make the biggest impact.”
- “Leaders go first. When you show your humanity, you give everyone else permission to do the same.”
- “The worst thing you can say to a child is ‘Don’t cry.’ That’s how we teach people to stuff emotions instead of moving through them.”
- “Slow down to speed up. Pausing for emotion makes us more effective, not less.”
- “Be brave enough to go first, even if you’re the only one. That’s how change starts.”
Takeaways
- Regulated emotion ≠ weakness; it’s how we reset and think clearly.
- Tiny releases (20s–3m) beat repressed feelings that explode later.
- Leaders can create micro safe spaces today—no policy change required.
We’d love to connect with you.
Your reflections, questions, and ah-ha moments mean the world to us. If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend, leave us a review, or connect with us individually.
Connect with Jillian:
www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-pezet-trellis
email: jillianp@trellissuite.com
Connect with Meg:
Website: www.profoundwellness.net
Facebook: facebook.com/megan.fikse
Instagram: instagram.com/m.laidlaw
