Could the CEO be Chief Emotional Officer?

My father Hal Todd was the ultimate showman. He was among the pioneers of Australian television, working with greats like Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton on iconic shows like In Melbourne Tonight.

On air he presented as a cherubic, eternally cheerful man. Behind the smile though, was a sometimes turbulent and troubled life. Raised in an orphanage, he gained a foothold in primetime TV but his career was derailed when his affair with my (soon-to-be) mother was splashed across newspapers.

He was ‘banished’ to late-night TV and radio, but his showbiz persona never faltered. He was above all a ‘professional’ - and whatever ‘deep seated’ emotions he was feeling, the show must go on! 

I think we can all relate to the fear of showing our emotions in the workplace. Not much has really changed since my father’s time - emotion in the workplace is still a touchy subject. ’It’ll be right’, ‘Anyway’, ‘No problem’… are all skip over comments.

Let’s face it, emotions in the workplace are often assigned as a weakness, lack of control, being too sensitive.

One of the things I love to support organisations with is emotional connection. Accepting the emotions you’re experiencing and being able to express what’s going on is a powerful form of intelligence. It opens possibilities when you appreciate the insight of the intelligence.

It's important in terms of the construct that I work with. We talk about responsibility, we talk about curiosity, we talk about candour and integrity. Emotions - revealing them and expressing them – unlock powerful insights and the potential for greater connection.