Liz Fosslien Books

Few emotions unsettle us like uncertainty. As humans, we crave stability because our brains are wired to seek predictability and safety. Yet, life rarely provides either. In the research we drew upon, people underestimated their ability to adapt — a phenomenon called affective forecasting error. Thi...

From Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay

Comparison is ancient — we evolved to track our place within our social group. But in the digital age, it has turned toxic. Social media amplifies the illusion of perfection, feeding us continuous 'highlight reels' of other lives. We discussed in the book how this endless exposure to others’ success...

From Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay

Emotions are not random; they’re signals—information about what matters to us. When we’re anxious before a presentation, that emotion isn’t weakness. It’s a sign that we care about doing a good job. When we feel irritated with a coworker, that friction is telling us something about unmet needs or mi...

From No Hard Feelings

Somewhere along the line, 'being professional' became synonymous with 'being emotionless.' But professionalism, as we argue, should mean showing respect, not suppressing humanity. The myth of professionalism drives people to hide their anxiety, mask their passion, or avoid hard conversations for fea...

From No Hard Feelings

Let’s begin by acknowledging that emotions aren’t distractions from rational thought — they’re part of it. Research in behavioral science shows that our feelings guide judgment: a spark of excitement can fuel innovation, while frustration can reveal obstacles we’ve been glossing over. Mollie and I o...

From No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work

One of the biggest cultural myths we confront in this book is that professionalism means emotional neutrality. You’ve probably heard phrases like “don’t take it personally” or “it’s just business.” But we’ve found that this brand of detachment often discourages empathy and authenticity. When people ...

From No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work