New book, HumanForce, is the ultimate guide to harnessing the power of emotions at work. Grounded in the latest academic research, this book reveals why leaders must grow their emotional intelligence to boost productivity, retain top talent, and ensure healthy and thriving teams.

Why this book matters

• 6 in 10 employees feel they can’t express emotions at work – it’s time for leaders to tackle the stigma of being overly emotional in the workplace to create a more mentally healthy, inclusive and connected culture
• Empathy is one of the top traits Gen Z employees expect from leaders – emotional connection and support from leaders are vital to attract and retain the next wave of workers
• Emotional openness is key to navigating change in a post-pandemic workplace – helping leaders to work through challenges like remote working, technological advancement, rising staff loneliness and chronic stress
• Packed with practical tips and strategies to work with rather than against your emotions – from enhancing EQ to embracing vulnerability, dealing with conflict and handling challenging conversations
• Features the latest academic research and case studies into the power of emotions

Written by Executive Coach and CEO of HumanForce Natalie Boudou – who helps leaders and teams at multinational and Fortune 500 organisations – including Amazon, Unilever and the UN – develop their emotional intelligence to grow resilient and engaged cultures.

Showing emotions at work is notoriously seen as ‘weak’ or ‘unprofessional’. But the pandemic threw this outdated view into sharp relief – revealing the need for human connection, in order for staff to feel supported, psychologically safe and valued in a constantly changing and uncertain workplace.

‘A strategy of greater emotional openness is key to successful leadership’

Packed with practical tools, tips and strategies, this book helps leaders to unlock their emotional openness – from embracing vulnerability to overcoming fear of change, practicing empathy to avoiding toxic positivity, actively listening to staff to handling office conflict.

The book is split into three comprehensive parts, with chapters exploring topics like:

• The steps towards emotional health at work
• Dealing with the fear of change
• Creating a culture of emotional safety
• Leading with empathy
• Dealing with conflict
• Gender and emotions
• Emotions and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
• Building meaningful connections
• Showing recognition and appreciation

Author Natalie Boudou is an Executive Coach, TEDx and keynote speaker, and the founder and CEO of HumanForce. She works with leaders, teams and individuals – including from Fortune 500 organisations like Amazon, Unilever and the UN – helping them to work more effectively with their emotions, in order to cultivate emotionally stronger and more resilient, connected and engaged workplaces.