F#%k it. Let them see you cry.
Where my brain tumbled after turning out the light.
Last night, well after bedtime, I started thinking about how years ago, someone I deeply respect said to me, “Never let them see you cry.” It was about moving into the corporate world, and I understood what it meant: Be strong. Keep it together. Don’t let them know when they get to you. Don’t let them think you’re weak. Because you’re not.
And, as much as I deeply respect the person who said it, I have a very different perspective on the matter.
LET. THEM. SEE. YOU. CRY.
I don’t mean that you should be weeping through the office halls every day. I mean that you shouldn’t feel like you can’t bring your sensitivity to work. Good leaders know that sensitivity is a superpower. It means you have passion. It means you care. It means you’re bringing more of yourself to what you create.
And although how much of yourself you bring to work is entirely personal (and I acknowledge that it's not always safe), this is about how we’ve created a culture that wants our “best”, but not our big, honest emotions.
And I’m just over that narrative.
It’s outdated. It’s patriarchal. And it’s not going to result in better work or more fulfilled employees.
I want people to crack the joke. Share that idea with fire in their belly and eyes. And yes, if they’re frustrated or sad, not to swallow their tears for fear of judgment.
Each drop is a little revolution against a culture that was set up to keep us productive, not to honour our passion.
If enough of us refuse to hide in the bathroom (I've been there) or hide our honest emotions, eventually, the system will have to catch up.
So, f#%c it. Let them see you cry.
