Making The Case for Warm and Fuzzy in the Workplace

October 23, 2023

The changing foliage, crisp air, and controversial pumpkin spice lattes tell us fall is here. So, whether you're gleefully sharpening your pumpkin carving tools or bemoaning the sun for feeling distant, we can all acknowledge the practicality of warm and fuzzy during this time. It's sweater weather, after all. So why deny yourself the cozy, warm security of a sweater?

In workplace settings, activities, ideas, or even gestures labeled as warm and fuzzy are often set up to be written off and dismissed as unsubstantial. Common phrases that attempt to negate the importance of warmth include it’s a “distraction”, “has no place in real work”, or “fluff”. It seems that when serious work is to be done, the sweaters come off, and it’s time for warm and fuzzy to clock out. These negative sentiments may even extend beyond small teams and weave themselves into the fabric of the entire company culture, resulting in very cold shoulders and icy looks across the organization. This approach is not very conducive to fostering trust or open communication which are the hallmarks of a strong team.

Truly cultivating warmth in the workplace is work. Work that involves engaging with the members of your team in a way that creates a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their insights and perspectives. Work that requires you to actively listen to others to understand their motivations and how they connect with their work. Work that examines, unpacks and then corrects the norms that contribute to negative workplace experiences. Warmth work is valuable and great teams and companies recognize its importance.

This season, let your sweaters be a reminder of the importance of warm and fuzzy in the workplace. If you would like to book a coaching session to improve your level of warmth in the workplace, book here.

Written by Ijeoma Ofoha, MHA

Career and Leadership Development Coach

Founder

Glow Ethos, LLC