Hi William,

There was a study done recently that wanted to figure out why humans cry, what's the real value or purpose behind this physiological response to an emotional state.  I discussed the study and its findings in terms of business in my piece <a href="http://www.tanveernaseer.com/what-does-crying-have-to-do-with-business" rel="nofollow">"What Does Crying Have To Do With Business?"</a>.  Essentially what the researchers found was that, in the absense of tears being shed, the viewer easily confuses what the person exhibiting the emotion is trying to say.

As we all know, one of the keystones of good leadership is being able to communicate clearly, both in terms of what you say and in what you hear from listening to others.  As this study shows, the shedding of tears is not so much a sign of weakness as it is a means to ensuring effective communication, of people being able to express exactly what they're thinking and yes, even feeling.

If we expect to lead people by stirring their emotions to compel a sense of connectedness and shared purpose, we need to understand the same applies to leaders, both men and women, and how they communicate with their team.