THRIVING AT WORK: From Guarded to Genuine — Cultivating Emotional Openness at Work
Emotional well-being plays a critical role in workplace satisfaction and performance. Emotional openness refers to the ability to express feelings, challenges, and personal experiences in a supportive workplace. Encouraging emotional openness helps build authentic connections within teams. Workplaces that allow employees to express concerns, share successes, and support one another create a healthier, more resilient culture. Expressing emotions in the workplace fosters trust and connection.
Neurodivergent individuals may seek environments where emotions are acknowledged and self-advocacy is encouraged. They flourish in environments where emotional expression is normalized and where self-advocacy is met with understanding and respect. Neurodivergent individuals may need space to process and express emotions differently—through writing, visuals, or structured check-ins. They need spaces where they can safely express emotions, share challenges, and receive understanding.
Encouraging emotional openness builds a more resilient and relationally attuned workplace. A culture of psychological safety allows people to express needs without fear of judgment. When workplaces normalize vulnerability, they foster trust, belonging, and mutual care.
Here are some ways to foster safe emotional expression:
Emotions don’t stop at the office door. Use this insight to help normalize emotional presence as part of workplace wellbeing. When we invite real feelings into our workspaces, we create space for authentic relationships and courageous conversations.
Remember: Emotional expression looks different for everyone—there is no one "right way." Normalize engaging and sharing emotions without judgment, and refrain from following the urge to fix what was shared. Make it a point to encourage self-advocacy and add emotional check-ins as part of regular workflow. Emotional labor and workplace resilience are interconnected and a culture of empathy leads to greater innovation, trust, and belonging.
THIS IS PART 6 OF AN ONGOING “THRIVING AT WORK SERIES”
Read part 1: THRIVING AT WORK: Supporting Neurodivergent Communication Preferences in the Workplace
Read Part 2: THRIVING AT WORK: Supporting Neurodivergent Task Management and Productivity in the Workplace
Read Part 3: THRIVING AT WORK: From Overwhelm to Ease: Environmental Supports for Neurodivergent Brains
Read Part 4: THRIVING AT WORK: From Conforming to Co-Creating: Neuroinclusive Teamwork in Action
Read Part 5: THRIVING AT WORK:From One-Way Feedback to Mutual Growth
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Beyond Words: Communication That Connects: A Guide to Everyday Neuroinclusive Communication at Work
What we say — and how we say it — shapes who feels seen, safe, and supported.
Beyond Words is your practical, science-informed, and deeply human guide to transforming workplace communication into a tool for inclusion, trust, and healing. Whether you're a team leader, educator, colleague, or curious ally, this guide will help you move beyond assumptions and toward connection.
WANT TO GO DEEPER? Bring Beyond Words Into Your Organization
Transform everyday communication into a practice of inclusion, trust, and belonging.
At the Neurodiversity Education Academy, we believe communication is where inclusion starts — not where it ends. That’s why we created Beyond Words: Communication That Connects — a powerful, healing-centered guide designed to help teams build cultures where all voices, tempos, and ways of expressing are welcomed.
Let’s bring Beyond Words to life inside your organization.
We offer:
Custom workshops for teams and leadership groups
Keynotes that spark awareness and inspire culture change
Training labs and learning journeys based on the 10 practices
Reflective sessions for neurodivergent employees and allies
Integration tools for HR, DEI, and communication leads
Whether you’re starting your neuroinclusion journey or ready to deepen your team’s practice, we’ll meet you where you are — and walk alongside you as you build a more relational, responsive, and resilient workplace.
Reach out to us to start the conversation.
Let’s go beyond performative — and go beyond words.