Experience shows that a leader’s outlook greatly shapes employee emotions. An optimistic and trusting leader inspires different feelings compared to a pessimistic and critical one. Leaders who embrace positivity foster similar emotions in their team, boosting efficiency and improving outcomes.
Emotions spread, with a leader's feelings impacting the workplace atmosphere most significantly. This indicates that a leader’s emotional state directly affects employees.
Since positive emotions enhance productivity, it is essential to prioritize the emotional health of leaders and explore strategies to cultivate a more positive environment.
How can leaders enhance a positive workplace climate? Should managers host tap dancing classes or laughter sessions? Unlikely. A constant smile or forced cheerfulness isn't necessary either. A balanced approach is crucial.
Leaders should reflect on how their emotional state can positively influence the organization. This will vary based on the leader's style and the organization's culture.
Leaders should deliberately manage their emotional state and the overall workplace atmosphere.
For instance:
A senior manager in a consulting firm realized that his frequent frustration in the mornings affected his team negatively. Employees noted that his stressed demeanor set a bad tone for the day.
Often, he would rush in and assign urgent tasks with sharp remarks before heading to his office. The team felt overwhelmed before the day truly began, fostering a sense of dissatisfaction with their productivity.
Once the manager recognized the impact of his morning mood, he changed his routine. He began going directly to his office to organize the day’s tasks, allowing himself time to calm down.
After half an hour, he would greet his team with a genuine "good morning" and discuss the day's objectives in a more positive and composed manner.
This example illustrates how leaders can become aware of their influence on the organization and make simple adjustments to avoid passing on unnecessary negative emotions. There are countless other ways to refine your emotional expressions.