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Reuters
House Republican leader John Boehner breaks into tears during a speech as he addresses supporters at an election night rally in Washington, Nov. 2.
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Is it OK to cry at work?
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.
Leave a Comment:
They spelled "boner" wrong...
Thats "Mr. Boner" to you!
Allison, thanks so much for expanding on this! What would you do if someone broke down in the Today show offices? I'm all for passion, enthusiasm and honesty, but tears just always strike me as a sign of weakness at work, no matter what. Better to excuse yourself quickly and come back once you've regained your composure...
Are you serious? Since when is being human a sign of weakness?
Crying is a sign of weakness at work??? Give me a break. The business world can be a very cruel, pressure driven place full of people (some, not all) who want to push their will and move up the ladder. One cry at work is NOT a sign of weakness. No one is perfect. I see more bad behavior in supposed "passionate people" which is really code for "difficult in meetings"
Have I cried at work??...yes, once and I excused myself. Have I cried in front of my boss, yes, once when frustrated. Did I get fired, NO, have I gotten promoted?...Yes, many times. Time for you to realize emotion in small doses can be just fine at work. With all the pressures of the world, home, family, life... Crying all the time, however is a sign of another larger issue.
Chris - What?! What the hell does your situation have to do with this. No wonder you reich wingers can't figure out these clowns. Our gene pool is tainted.
Boener looks, acts, talks and cries like the alcoholic I suspect he is.
He is so "ooky"... gives me the creeps.
Get a grip, Bainer.
Leave it to the liberal librarian to spell "Bainer" correctly.
Good one!!
He could also try Bayner
It's a no brainer Boehner ,change the spelling of your name
LL - Judging by your comments, I suspect you are a heroin addict that also enjoys a bit of blow now and then. You're probably a child abuser and cheated on your SAT texts back in high school.
How about we stick to the issues and not make assumptions. Clinton was teary eyed more than once during his two terms, so was Bush. How in the hell does that lead to them being alcoholics?
And comparing the issue of crying at work to crying while making an emotional speech...what a stretch TODAY SHOW. Come on!!!!!!!!
Wake up America!
Dave: Bush is a known alcoholic by his own words and the comments of his wife about dubya before he ever became president.
Joe - I'm only stating that LL is crazy for attributing crying to being an alcoholic. I wasn't trying to say Bush was or was not, nor that Clinton was or was not an alcoholic. My point is that they too cried during their time in office.
The larger point is that Allison is a hack for even attempting to tie the topic of a politician who cries while making a speech to a run of the mill employee that cries at work.
Allison went off topic (which was careers) to join the long list of bias reporters. That is truly sad given that we have plenty of political commentators. If Allison Linn wants to be a political commentator then fine...But this story isn't listed under Politics.
I guess her publisher was asleep at the wheel as well.
Wake up Joe!
They didn't weep like this clown.
I swept floors Waaaaaah
I hope the dream is alive despite me trying to kill it Waaaah
My socks don't match Waaaah
Sorry honey I forgot to put the toilet seat down Waaaaah
The big banks and oil only contributed this many millions to my campaign Waaaaaah
I can't believe people from ohio buy my B.S. Waaaaaah
Waaaaaah I bet I look like a sensitive sort of guy to the Women
Eric Cantor assume the position Waaaaaah come on John there is no crying in BFing.
you are sooooooo right. I, too, think he needs a few drinks every night.
I believe it's clear that Boehner is not just "emotional," but emotionally unstable. It's hard to imagine being reduced to uncontrollable tears by the memory of my own humble, floor-sweeping beginnings, or by my own ideological convictions.
Here's a sketch from our comedy show in Hollywood about how John Boehner has made it alright for men to cry at work!
http://www.topstoryweekly.com/2010/12/31/watch-sensitivity-in-the-workplace-from-top-story-weekly-episode-82-all-i-want-for-christmas/
If Nancy Pelosi ever cried like that the neo-cons would be all over her for being weak.
I agree with Librarian, the first thing I thought when I saw the 60 minutes piece was that he was drunk.
i'd like to correct glickman about one thing: boner is NOT the boss, we are. so he was crying in front of the boss, after all.
Give Boehner a break. He doesn't cry because he's feeling sorry for himself or because he got hurt. He simply gets emotional over things that mean a great deal to him. Nothing wrong with that. Would that the rest of political Washington actually cared as deeply about the country as he does, and wasn't afraid to show it.
Give me a break... he was crying (creepy) because HE have achieved HIS American Dream... doesn't give a heck about anybody else's American Dream.. What is he doing about all the lost Jobs in this country... his first priority is to make a Democratic President a one term President... while millions of Americans have lost or are in danger of losing their American Dreams.. When he does that creepy crying thing, notice it's all about HIM.. wake up American... If you think things are bad now... watch the gap between the wealthy & middle class grow and grow while the creepy crier lines his pocket & cry some more for HIM!!
He has a lot to cry about. He and the Former president put this country into the deep debt we have now. Two Wars cost Big money when you have a no bid contract with KBR and the other crooked companys that profit off of war.
Don't forget Gary that in addition to the two wars, they passed two tax cuts at the same time AND passed the 100% unfunded Medicare Part D, because that GOP Congress was too wussy to either A) raise taxes or B) cut spending. So they just passed it and waited for Democrats to fix it (which they did, with the ACA).
Boehner does seem like a weepy drunk.
I call it “eye sneezing” because I can’t help it and it doesn’t really hurt, but it’s just inconvenient. It helps people around me understand why I get a little teary just talking about things. But I am exactly how I’ve been made. I don’t want to pretend to be someone I’m not, even if it costs me that “promotion.” That promotion would make me miserable if it was tied to me pretending to be someone I’m not and it would make the people around me miserable if I didn’t pretend and the position called for someone who was unlike who I am. If you value the work I do in the position I do it then you will respect me anyway, regardless of my occasional tears. They are not weakness; they are what makes me the unique human that I am. I like you just fine if you don’t cry, why are my tears so threatening to you? Does it remind you of your own humanity? I promise I will not think less of you for not crying and I will try not to think less of you if you think less of me for crying, but I refuse to think less of myself.
AmereC: I cannot wrap my head around your comments. You are nuts IMO.
I can't stand this, how in the world can a grown man who thinks he knows how to fix the entire world cry everytime he gets in front of a camera. Geez, it just the most ridiculous thing I as a woman have ever seen. I wonder how many men will be willing to stand by him at the next press conference.
Lot's...because he has the power, now. Just like Dems stayed with Pelosi....
Perhaps he is UI and I do not mean Unemployment Ins. Just thinking.
I think "The Boner" is weeping for the millions of people whose healthcare benefits he is trying to take away.
I dont think boehner was actually crying. I think some suntan lotion got in his eyes.
Maybe we should march him on over to Mamby Pamby land and get him some self confidence. Jackwagon.
Best. Post. Ever.
I agree. BEST POST LOL
I agree...best post ever! To think this crybaby is two heartbeats away from the Presidency of the US is very frightening! If NYC is attacked again whats he going to do? Cry like an idiot! Time for this weeping willow to man up!
First the leader of the House of Representatives turns out to be a crybaby; then the man about to run one of the biggest naval aircraft carriers in the world turns out to be a pornographer. What next?
Are there different standards for women vs men in the office? re; crying
I believe so..men need to suck-it up more perhaps?
If woman politician wept like JB - meaning frequently-you can bet it would be used against her and her career would tank.
He was crying because his great great great grandson won't have a job because of Obama.
justice - you are amazing - you can see into the future!!!! Oh that one man, Obama, really did have that much power - we'd all be better off. Let's see what the next two years will bring. Lots of wringing hands, I'll bet. Hey? Isn't it just dandy to cut America's programs so we can continue to fund wars and give money away to foreign governments?
Boner should leave the weeping at home as well.
Oh, that's great! I love it!
Tissue?
He's crying for his own edited memories of childhood, not for anyone else. The guy is a sociopath, as in, absolutely incapable of feeling any empathy for another human being. Listen to what he says when he tries to explain what he's weepy about - it's all about him. He recognizes that isn't good pr so,he tries to make it seem different, but he just fumbles in the attempt.
If he still owned a shred of his own soul it might be massive guilt over the things he has done to others, but of course that's impossible.
He is phony phool.
WEEPER OF THE HOUSE! I think it's just a matter of time before he starts weeping and telling us how much he loves us.
He comes off as drunk, mentally unstable or both. John Boehner makes me very uncomfortable. He is some kind of zealot or a drunk.