The Hidden Impact of "Taking Emotion Out of It" at Work (Part 1)

I’m here to remind you that gratitude, passion, joy, curiosity, calmness, peace, and enthusiasm are all emotions.

Hi there!👋

In this newsletter, let's delve into the often misunderstood concept of "taking the emotion out of it," especially in a work context. While it might seem like a reasonable approach to promote objectivity and clear thinking, there are underlying implications & pitfalls of this mindset.

When someone says they want to "take the emotion out of it," they could be seeking a sense of calmness and curiosity — both from themselves and those around them. In this positive interpretation, the person might be looking to create or support an environment where emotions don't cloud open inquiry or decision-making.

Alternatively, many people say they want to "take the emotion out of it" but in reality, they are actually disengaging and becoming emotionally numb. Emotional numbness can create a disconnection between team members, stifling collaboration and hindering the group's ability to address challenges effectively.

In this case, rather than fostering a sense of calmness and curiosity, this might inadvertently create an environment of disconnection — where team members feel unsupported as people and thus less inclined to share their thoughts or feelings or even engage.

And less engagement is the opposite of what drives results and impact.

So really, the intention isn’t to “take emotion out of it”, it’s to remain open, curious, and present. Perhaps instead of sharing that you want to “take the emotion out of it”, share what you actually want. “I'd like for us to approach this with an open mind, curiosity, and presence, fostering a supportive and constructive atmosphere."

Fear, shame, blame, judgement, frustration, resentment, and anger are all sources of disconnection. Therefore, it isn’t really about “taking emotion out of it” as it is about “taking disconnection out of it”. Said positively, “aligning and connecting on it.”

Joy, curiosity, gratitude, passion, calmness, peace, and enthusiasm are all sources of connection. And like accelerants, they help ideas, plans, and initiatives catch fire. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

That’s the engagement and productivity zone to be in.

To recap, emotion, like water, is essential to our ability to thrive. Emotion is not inherently negative or harmful — perpetuating disconnection is. So take the disconnection, not the emotion, out of it.

For deeper impact, align and connect. Engage in action and communication that cultivates alignment.

Given the level of impact this can have on us, our teams, and our organizations, we’ll dive deeper into this topic next week.

Right now, you are officially invited to rethink the concept of emotion at work and reduce disconnection. I include myself here — we’re all human!

What would it look like to embed more positive emotion and connection into the following?

💪 Your work

💬 Your team interactions

⚡️ Your energy

✨ Your presence

Until next time,Rachel

P.S. I welcome any thoughts you’d like to share — I read them all, always. Just click reply. 👍

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