Glossing refers to the practice of suppressing negative emotions at work, whatever the circumstances
There's little to be gained from always smiling and acting enthusiastic at work if you don't feel like it deep down.
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It's all very well having a positive attitude at work, but it's not always easy to keep a smile on your face when workloads pile up and stress takes its toll. Yet some employees feel obliged to do so, even if this can prove detrimental.
From loss of motivation to burnout to depression, the mental health of the working population has continued to deteriorate since the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet some employees feel compelled to put on a happy face at the office, as if simply adopting a positive attitude was enough to silence their professional malaise. This is known as “glossing.”
Glossing refers to the practice of suppressing negative emotions at work, whatever the circumstances. This desire to keep up appearances can prove harmful, not only for the employee feigning happiness, but also for their colleagues. But workers who express their true thoughts or concerns may come across as killjoys or troublemakers to their superiors.
After all, in the workplace, the desire to conform often takes precedence. Employees tend to copy their colleagues' way of communicating and working, for fear of being ostracized if they don't conform to their peers' expectations. If they see that their office neighbors are smiling, all day long, they'll feel obliged to do the same, so as not to stand out from the crowd. "I think it's a natural response to anxiety or fear," explains Leena Rinne, global head of coaching at Skillsoft, speaking to Business Insider.