Emotional Labour in HR (w. Dina Denham Smith)

Emotional labour is the unwritten work of managing your feelings and the emotions of others to be effective in the workplace. HR professionals and leaders often act as "toxin handlers," absorbing organizational frustrations and conflicts without a formal strategy for recovery.

In this episode, executive coach and author Dina Denham Smith breaks down why emotional labour feels like pushing a beach ball underwater and how to prevent it from leading to compassion fatigue. We explore the difference between emotional and cognitive empathy, the physical toll of suppressing true feelings, and practical ways to "metabolize" the stress of leadership.

Key takeaways include:

- The definition of a "toxin handler" and why this role is vital yet undervalued.

- The three components of an emotion: behavior, physiology, and mental interpretation.- How to use the "Three Rs" (Reflect, Reframe, Restore) to recover your energy.

- Why cognitive empathy is a protective strategy for those in high-conflict roles.

**Find Dina Denham-Smith**

Website: https://dinadenhamsmith.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinadenhamsmith/

Book Titles or other links: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work

**Find Andrea (me)**

Website: https://thehrhub.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/