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Read other letters about this article
>>As a mother, I've noticed that my tears can quell the intense rivalry between my two sons; they quickly join forces to comfort me.
>>Plus, I love the drama.
Here, in a nutshell, is why my company discourages emotional outbursts, especially among our female colleagues.
Far too often the crying is an attempt at manipulation, either the crying allows a woman to avoid responsibility for failing in a task or to engender sympathy or any number of other desired outcomes. I do not manipulate them, and I would like them to not attempt to manipulate me. In my workplace, honesty is paramount.
This is not about being cold and emotionless, but simply expressing yourself appropriately as an adult and professional. Just as I (as a man, and a bit high-wired man at times) cannot go around shouting things and acting aggressively, women must in turn modulate their own behavior until we reach a happy medium where work progresses.
I don't think anyone where I work would begrudge a woman (or a man) from expressing real, heartfelt emotions. Too often though, and this seems to happen with the women more than the men, the emotions serve only as an artificial shield to avoid responsibility and manipulate their audience.
