Emotional labor refers to the effort required to manage and regulate one's own emotions and those of others, often as part of a job or personal relationship. This concept was first introduced by Arlie Russell Hochschild in 1983 and has since been recognized as an important aspect of many professions, including healthcare, education, and customer support. Recognizing emotional labor is crucial for planning and managing projects, initiatives, and teams, as it requires resources and can lead to burnout if not accounted for. By acknowledging the existence of emotional labor and understanding its role in work, individuals can prioritize it, automate tasks, and develop skills to manage their emotions more effectively, ultimately contributing to better team performance and productivity.