The nation’s incoming Speaker of the House, John Boehner, may be as well known for his penchant for getting weepy as for his policy positions.
But just because Rep. Boehner has found career success while crying doesn’t mean that you should give it a try.
Workplace consultant Jodi Glickman writes in the Harvard Business Review blog Monday that crying at work is definitely not OK, and especially not in front of your boss.
In the blog post, called “How Not to Cry at Work, Even if John Boehner Does,” Glickman writes:
“There are three key differences between John Boehner and the rest of us above-average professionals looking to progress in our careers: First, he's the boss, second he's not crying about workplace issues, and third, he's old (or older, depending on where you sit).”
Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, has made news since the November elections not just for crying on national television, but also for talking about how he is an emotional type of guy who gets a little verklempt about a lot of things.
Of course things sometimes happen at the office that make you want to cry, Glickman notes.
But instead of adopting Boehner’s weepy habits, she recommends that you find a way to flee the scene as quickly and politely as possible, then find a place where you can cry in private.
Once you’ve regained your composure, Glickman recommends speaking calmly with the person, or about the situation, that drove you to tears.