The Emotional Spark: Building Tropophilic Organizations for a Thriving Workplace

Emotions are the driving force behind human behavior — the spark that fuels our actions and aspirations. From the dreams of an entrepreneur to the progress and development throughout history, emotions have been the catalyst propelling us forward. But in the realm of the workplace, many organizations have lost sight of the power of positive emotions, instead becoming mired in restrictive, mechanistic bureaucracies that stifle the human spirit.

To understand the importance of emotions in the workplace, we must first distinguish between feelings and emotions. Feelings are the inputs received by the brain from the environment, sustained over time. Emotions, on the other hand, are the immediate, often temporary, and sometimes “irrational” outputs triggered by those feelings. They arise from the chemicals released by the brain, such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin for positive emotions like love and pleasure, or adrenaline and cortisol for negative emotions like anger and fear.

While emotions can sometimes seem irrational, they are hardwired into our brains as a survival mechanism, allowing us to react instantly to the raw feelings we receive. It is only after the initial emotional response that we can apply rational thinking and critical analysis, a process that requires emotional…