No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Mollie West Duffy, Liz Fosslien

Emotions are a necessary part of the human experience, and for far too long we have been discouraged from expressing our emotions openly in the workplace. In her book “No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work," Mollie West Duffy shows us why it’s important to authentically embrace our emotions and how doing so can actually create a better, more productive environment for ourselves and our colleagues.

Duffy starts by delving into the history of modern business culture and how it has caused us to hide and suppress our emotions at work. She argues that this suppression has been damaging to our physical and mental health, leading to burnout and lost productivity. She then sets out to prove that acknowledging and embracing our emotions at work does not make us any less professional. Upon this foundation, she offers advice for how to accept and properly express our emotions at work, as well as how to regulate our emotions when we can’t control them.

Duffy advocates for the conscious recognition and management of emotions as a key part of improving physical, mental, and social interactions in the workplace. She stresses the importance of learning how to properly give and receive emotional communication, which she defines as “two people being able to understand each other and offer support in a positive way.” She goes on to emphasize the need to be aware of our own emotions and how they affect the way we interact with one another. This awareness leads to an understanding that even negative emotions can be communicated and accepted without judgment, which can often result in the alleviation of the emotional discomfort.

The book also provides practical tips for addressing the unique emotional complexities of working with others. Duffy offers guidance on everything from building empathy for colleagues to developing emotional intelligence, which is the ability to identify and respond to emotional cues from others. She also gives advice for performing “emotional labor,” which is the effort that goes into recognizing and meeting the emotional needs of others. Finally, Duffy goes over ways to self-regulate and express empathy, which are necessary skills for creating a safe and productive environment.

At its heart, “No Hard Feelings” is a timely and much-needed appeal for the acceptance of emotion in the workplace. For too long, organizations and individuals have suppressed their emotions in favor of “rational” thinking and communication, which has often led to resentment, low morale, and diminishing performance. By emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and communication, Duffy reminds us that personal connections can be of immense value to us and our careers. By demonstrating that it’s possible to be productive and professional while acknowledging and communicating our emotions, the book will hopefully lead the way in transforming how we interact with one another in the workplace.