Book excerpt: This book lights the way to appreciating the importance of developing the emotional language to describe, acknowledge, and address emotions in the workplace using a proven and methodical approach absent in most other EI strategies. Ann was agitated and troubled as she summoned the courage to recount what had happened. The intensity of her remarks was gripping the whole team; all eyes were on her. She took the extraordinary step of sharing her emotions with her team; she felt alone, helpless, unimportant, and rejected. In reflecting on our individual professional experiences, we each remember occasions when we were Ann; desperate for connection. At times we reacted by retreating to our offices and at other times by becoming angry, shouting, or being overly defensive. Has this ever happened to you? Have you felt that emotions don’t belong at work? We assert that underlying all of our interactions are the emotions we are all operating with, both consciously and unconsciously. Emotions, and not the content, are the most powerful presence in the room during conflicts and stress. But knowing this is not enough. This book lights the way to appreciating the importance of developing the emotional language to describe, acknowledge, and address emotions in the workplace using a proven and methodical approach absent in most other EI strategies. The EmC strategy will enable the leader inside you to connect more effectively, energize a harmonious workplace culture, and nurture creativity and innovation to achieve unprecedented results. Invigorate creativity, innovation, and collaboration Boost engagement and wellness Build psychological safety to enhance trust and authenticity Nurture leadership throughout the organization Foster strong relationships to create a thriving culture Enduring relationships give us the strength to face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and adversity. When we are connected, we can thrive, we can achieve unimaginable success.