What to do when someone cries in a conversation at work.

‘What do you pride yourself on?’…

‘Making people cry'

…said an organisation's director. I recoiled! 

Yet, millions of people Google ‘How do i handle someone who cries at work?’

People cry with me too...only more like this...

Apologising British-ly, predicting tears, someone seeking coaching said ‘If people crying is just weird then you don’t need to!’

I replied: ‘Don’t worry – I’m Chief Tissue Officer!’ 

Why resist crying?

Many reasons: Saving face; holding it together; not opening floodgates; and not wanting to make others uncomfortable.

Crying benefits:

1. Being able to blurt between sobs and sniffles, not having to hold back and hold it in, is a release.

2. Releasing the stress hormone Cortisol, found in tears – a true stress reliever!

3. Processing and making sense of the problem, even in gulped sentences.

But is it awkward?

Someone about to bawl is hard to handle for some. I had a boss who left the room at the first sign of a quivering lip!

BUT... ‘Cry Care 101’ = ‘That’s OK, you let it out,’ having tissues handy and just being there.  

And when someone cries, feels better, AND gains CLARITY ..it's infectious!

Bonuses include:

1. Being supportive feels good;

2. It's appreciated;

3. Getting to know someone better and building trust!

People rarely approach me when all is hunky-dory.. So, I don’t MAKE, but GIVE them a chance to cry, unpick problems and find answers.

AND we laugh a lot.

So, if it’s unfamiliar, try borrowing the CTO title and let things unfold!

Get in touch if you’re in danger of a teary scenario which I can help you turn around.

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