Crying at Work – Strength or Weakness? Let's Talk About It

So this has been on my mind lately, and I’m curious to hear what others think...

Is crying at work a sign of strength, or is it seen as a weakness?

Personally, I’ve always felt torn. On one hand, showing emotion – especially in high-stress environments – feels honest and human. Sometimes things just build up and it comes out. I’ve seen people cry out of frustration, grief, burnout, even relief. And honestly, I don’t think it should be something to feel ashamed of.

But I also know not everyone sees it that way. In some workplaces, crying can be viewed as unprofessional or a loss of control. There’s still a lot of stigma around showing vulnerability, especially for men or those in leadership positions.

I’ve heard arguments on both sides:

Crying = Strength?

• Shows emotional intelligence and authenticity
• Can build trust and show you care
• Helps release stress instead of bottling it up

Crying = Weakness?

• Might be seen as a lack of control
• Can make others uncomfortable or unsure how to respond
• Could lead to unfair assumptions about your ability to cope

What do you think? Have you ever cried at work? How did it make you feel – or how did others react?

Let’s break the stigma a bit and have an honest conversation.

I've cried at work, it's not a weakness at all. Emotions are something we all need to express, and feeling overwhelmed or feeling that hit of depression even at work is not wrong or weak or bad in anyway. It's a strength to be able to let things out. It shows you're a human being, it shows you care, and it does stop you from boiling over. You come back with a clear mind and feel so much better afterwards and more focused.