HERMIT-CRAB FICTION
Crying at work [A guide for managers]
‘A powerful tactic, in the event of being stuck next to a sniveller and having to pretend that you care, is to find someone else to delegate the issue to.’
Managers have to deal with many challenging scenarios as part of their role, from having difficult conversations about poor performance, to making someone redundant, to explaining to a team member that they have an unfortunate body odour. But for many, perhaps the most uncomfortable scenario of all is when you come across someone in floods of tears at their desk, or bump into them as they run sobbing for the nearest loo.
At such moments, panic is a natural first reaction, but as a leader and agent of change within your organisation, you know that people will look to you to set a constructive and respectful example. Use the following set of best practices to formulate and implement an appropriate response…
1. Create a safe space
If someone is already feeling upset and anxious, the last thing they need is someone around them — especially a manager or leader — who looks awkward and unsure about what to do. And of course the last thing you want to do is to make the crying party…
