In this episode, we dive into the science of emotional contagion and how being intentional about the emotions you project can transform your leadership impact. Have you ever seen someone walk into a room and instantly shift the energy? That’s emotional contagion in action. Emotions silently spreading from person to person, often without us realizing it. As leaders, learning to manage this contagion is one of the most powerful, and underused, tools at our disposal.

The Science of Emotional Contagion

Research from Princeton reveals how our brains use "mirror neurons" to unconsciously mimic the emotional states of those around us. This isn't just a theory – it has measurable impacts on productivity, creativity, and even physical health through stress hormones like cortisol. Most importantly for leaders, emotions don't spread equally – the emotions of people with more power tend to have a greater ripple effect throughout teams and organizations.

Your Default Broadcast Channel

• Each of us has a default "broadcast channel" – especially under pressure.
• I share a personal story about how my unintentional broadcast affected my young son.
• The importance of recognizing what you're projecting to others, particularly when deadlines loom or unexpected problems arise.
• Why your broadcast matters: "When the pressure rises, all eyes turn to the leaders."

Rebroadcasting When Your Tone Isn't Helpful

Michelle Gielan's research shows we can consciously choose our broadcasts through a three-step process:

1. Recognize your current broadcast through physical and facial cues
2. Pause and reset – even 30 seconds can make a difference
3. Choose your new broadcast intentionally based on what your team needs

This isn't about being inauthentic or denying challenges – it's about being intentional about which aspects of a situation you emphasize and how you frame difficulties.

The Contagious Power of Positivity

Research by Shawn Achor shows that when leaders broadcast authentic positive emotions (not toxic positivity), it creates a "happiness advantage" with remarkable benefits:

• 31% higher productivity
• 37% higher sales
• Greater creativity and problem-solving abilities
• More resilience during challenges
• Lower turnover rates

I explain why negativity must be addressed as a performance issue and how positive emotions, when authentic, are actually more contagious than negative ones.

Remember, your emotional broadcast is a leadership choice, not just an automatic response to circumstances. When you begin to see your emotions as a leadership tool you can consciously use, you unlock a new dimension of influence and become a true architect of your team's emotional climate and performance.

To learn more about my services and for additional tools to enhance your leadership impact, visit ClaireLaughlin.com and connect with me on social channels @ClaireLaughlinConsulting.

Thanks so much for listening to This Leader Podcast! New episodes are released weekly, and we'd love for you to share them with others who might benefit.

Sources

Achor, S. (2010). The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work. Crown Business.

Barsade, S. G. (2002). The Ripple Effect: Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behavior. Administrative Science Quarterly, 47(4), 644-675.

Engert, V., Plessow, F., Miller, R., Kirschbaum, C., & Singer, T. (2014). Cortisol increase in empathic stress is modulated by emotional closeness and observation modality. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 45, 192-201.

Gielan, M. (2015). Broadcasting Happiness: The Science of Igniting and Sustaining Positive Change. BenBella Books.

Gielan, M., & Achor, S. (2015). The effects of news content on emotions, optimism and subsequent behavior. Unpublished manuscript.

Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J.T., & Rapson, R.L. (1993). Emotional Contagion. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(3), 96-100.

Seppälä, E., & Cameron, K. (2015). Proof That Positive Work Cultures Are More Productive. Harvard Business Review, 12(1), 44-50.