The Power of Emotions in Healthcare: A Crucial Connection
When I was first told to “take the emotions out of it,” I felt an immediate sense of unease. Deep down, I knew that advice didn’t sit right. In the context of healthcare, where emotions run high, and stakes are often life-altering, removing emotions felt not only unnatural but counterproductive. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that emotions are central to our ability to show up, connect, and thrive in the workplace. Here’s why they matter—especially in healthcare.
First, emotions are the drivers that get us out of bed in the morning and into work, day after day. Without a sense of purpose, a connection to the meaning of our work, or even a flicker of hope for change, showing up can feel insurmountable. Healthcare often feels like it’s on the brink of chaos: stretched resources, emotional fatigue, and moments where everything feels like it’s falling apart. In these moments, it’s not logic or spreadsheets that pull us through—it’s the drive, passion, and even the stubborn belief that what we’re doing matters. These are emotions in action.
Beyond sustaining ourselves, emotions are critical to the care we provide. Healthcare is inherently relational. To truly care for someone, there has to be a connection, a recognition of their experience and where they’re at in that moment. That connection is forged through emotions—empathy, compassion, hope. Care isn’t just delivered; it’s received. And for it to be received, the person delivering it needs to connect on a human level. This emotional exchange can’t happen if we’ve stripped emotions out of the equation.
In teams, emotions act as the undercurrent of how well we work together.
Research published in Harvard Business Review highlights that the best-performing teams aren’t just technically skilled—they’re emotionally attuned. How we feel about our colleagues impacts everything from collaboration to resilience during challenging times. For example, a team that feels supported and respected will perform far better under pressure than one that feels disconnected or undervalued. Emotional awareness within a team creates trust, and trust is the foundation for exceptional teamwork.
We also need to acknowledge the contagious nature of emotions. How I show up as a leader or team member sets the tone. If I’m having a grumpy day and let that seep into my interactions, it’s not just my mood that’s affected—it ripples through my team, potentially affecting everyone they interact with, including patients. This phenomenon, often referred to as emotional contagion, underscores why being aware of and managing our emotions is so critical.
Tools like the Emotional Culture Deck can help organisations intentionally engage with emotions. The deck facilitates conversations about how people want to feel at work and how they’d prefer not to feel. By naming and exploring emotions, teams can align on shared values and behaviours, creating a culture where emotions are seen as assets, not liabilities.
In healthcare, and any workplace for that matter, emotions are not the problem; ignoring them is. By embracing emotions, we create the conditions for connection, resilience, and purpose. And in doing so, we don’t just survive the chaos—we find ways to thrive within it.
Curious? Want to know more?
Book a call today and let’s talk about how The Emotional Culture Deck can help you and your team.
