For many of us—especially high-achievers—emotions have been treated like distractions, weaknesses, or inconveniences. We’re taught to “hold it together,” “stay professional,” or “push through.”
But here’s the truth: emotions are not problems to solve. They are messengers with a purpose.
Emotions Are Information
Psychologist Paul Ekman’s research on universal emotions shows that emotions are deeply wired into our biology to help us adapt and survive. For example:
- Fear signals danger and helps us prepare or protect ourselves.
- Anger alerts us to injustice or boundary violations.
- Sadness invites us to slow down and process loss, making space for healing.
- Joy motivates us to repeat life-giving behaviors and connect with others.
Emotions are like your internal dashboard lights. They don’t mean something is “wrong”—they mean something is important. Ignoring them is like ignoring a check-engine light.
The Science of Emotional Purpose
Neuroscience confirms that emotions are critical for decision-making and resilience. Antonio Damasio’s studies on patients with brain damage in the emotion-processing areas found that they struggled to make even simple decisions, despite having intact logic (Damasio, 1994). In other words, without emotions, reason is incomplete.
Research also shows that emotional awareness improves physical and mental health. People who can identify and name their emotions (a practice called emotional granularity) experience lower stress, stronger immune function, and more effective coping skills (Barrett, 2017).
My Journey With Emotions
Growing up in Colombia with an alcoholic father and a mother without a voice, I learned early that expressing emotions wasn’t safe. My strategy became proving, performing, and perfecting instead of feeling. But over time, this emotional suppression cost me my peace and my sense of self.
Through my own journey—and now through coaching—I’ve discovered that emotions are not barriers to leadership. They are bridges to deeper connection, clarity, and authenticity. When we welcome them instead of resisting them, we reclaim parts of ourselves we’ve abandoned.
Reflection for You
This week, I invite you to pause and ask yourself:
- What emotion have I been avoiding or numbing?
- What message might this emotion be carrying for me?
- If I listened instead of resisting, what shift could I make in my life, relationships, or leadership?
Closing
Emotions serve a purpose: they bring us back to our humanity. They remind us what matters, warn us when something’s off, and connect us more deeply to others.
Instead of pushing them away, try welcoming them as wise messengers. Because when you lead with both clarity and emotional honesty, you don’t just become stronger—you become whole.
In my coaching and workshops, I help leaders and teams move from emotional suppression to emotional intelligence so that they can lead with authenticity, resilience, and impact. If you’re ready to explore this journey, let’s connect. Book a time here.