Forums
Crying during meeting
General Forum
Crying during meeting
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
One of my subordinates cried very hard today in my office. We had a disagreement on the proper approach to an effort.
According to my wife, she believe this employee...female is frustrated because
0
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53Discussion:DiscussionId36208
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Crying during meeting
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 10/16/2009 5:46 PM EDT
|
Posts: 21
First: 7/10/2009 Last: 10/20/2009 |
One of my subordinates cried very hard today in my office. We had a disagreement on the proper approach to an effort.
According to my wife, she believe this employee...female is frustrated because things are not going her way and I am calling her out. Please provide your thoughts...and best approach when the tears begin to flow. |
|
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 10/19/2009 5:46 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 1783
First: 11/11/2003 Last: 5/13/2010 |
Hand over a box of Kleenex.
Most likely the employee is embarrassed by the outburst, and the less said about it the better. It's possible the crying is a mechanism to put off discussions about work performance, but I don't see how you could address the crying without coming off like a total jerk. |
|
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 10/19/2009 8:19 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
I'm certainly not a psychologist, but I'd guess this employee has other things going on in her life and your discussion with her was only the trigger for the breakdown, not necessarily the cause.
If your company has an EAP, I'd suggest you redirect her that way. |
|
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 10/23/2009 10:23 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 50
First: 11/21/2005 Last: 11/2/2009 |
Just my two cents, sometimes women cry when they are angry or frustrated. It doesn't have to mean anything deeper than that.
As difficult as crying in the workplace can be, it is generally more acceptable than when a woman shows anger. Of course it's best if men and woman manage their emotions in the workplace, but we are all human. I agree, it is best to ignore the crying and just focus on the issues themselves. |
|
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 10/23/2009 10:33 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 50
First: 11/21/2005 Last: 11/2/2009 |
Just to clarify, I didn't mean to ignore crying in general, just to not bring it up as part of the issue in subsequent meetings. Treat is as you would any other embarassing interaction, with sensativity.
But if you are in a meeting and a person starts bawling, maybe you could acknowledge that there must be some strong feelings associated with the conversation and maybe give the person an opportunity to reschedule the meeting or whatever might help make it more comfortable. Don't act like it's a big deal or something that needs to be fixed. |
|
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 12/1/2009 4:31 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 1
First: 12/1/2009 Last: 12/1/2009 |
Personally, I think that your 50% responsibility in a relationship has to do with how you phrase your messages. Are they respectful, honest, and do you make it clear that you trust the individual to be able to make changes in their behavior, if that is what you expect? If that is the case, I believe you are not responsible for their reactions. This is THEIR 50 % responsiblity. They can choose to consider your message as an opportunity worth to consider, or as something that is insulting. It is THEIR choice. This is what I think. Otherwise, I would not feel able to give any feedback anymore. |
|
|
Crying during meeting
posted at 12/1/2009 4:52 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 1
First: 12/1/2009 Last: 12/1/2009 |
Definitely hand over the Kleenex and then WAIT. Don't say anything. Give the employee time to recover and to resume the conversation.
If she continues to cry, leave the office and say you'll be back in a few minutes and expect her to be ready to talk or to leave and come back when ready. |
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Crying during meeting
