Emotions, Creativity, and the business of being human

One of the most powerful, simple things that came up about a recent group coaching session I ran was the importance of having space. Space not only to speak, but also to listen—deeply, on that level of community where you feel held and heard, even in silence.

In the creative industries, we live inside a constant deep dive into the emotional elements of working. Our creativity, our need to communicate, our desire to express—all of that is raw, alive, and always close to the surface. And yet, so often, we’re told to cover it up.

For many years, emotional women in particular have been judged as “troublesome.” Assertiveness in men is celebrated; emotion in women is dismissed as anger, drama, or weakness. The message—sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant—is that you can only speak in a certain way, fit into a certain box, put on the pants and leave your skirt at the door.

Sadly, I hear from clients, that this is still happening today, in 2025.

No wonder so many of us feel silenced, or that parts of our creativity are stifled.

And yet, there is another way.

One of my clients put it beautifully: “For the first time, I heard someone say out loud what we all feel—that in order to do well in your career, in your art, and in your business, you also need to do well as a human. You didn’t separate business from humanity, and that was so rare and refreshing.”

Because creativity is not mechanical. It comes from our essence. And if you’re forced to block your essence, you block your deepest creative power.

That’s why this work matters. When we make room for emotions—not as weakness, but as wisdom—we unlock a truer, fuller, more sustainable form of creativity.

It’s not just about business. It’s about being human. And from that place, our art, our leadership, and our lives expand.

Where in your work are you blocking your essence—and what might open up if you allowed more of it through?