Ever feel like a team's mood is contagious? You're not imagining it.
It's called 'emotional contagion'.
We've all been part of teams where negativity seems to spread like wildfire, or conversely, where everyone seems energized and optimistic. This isn't just coincidence; it's a phenomenon called "emotional contagion."
A fascinating study from Yale University delved into this very concept, exploring how emotions transfer within groups and their impact on team dynamics.
The Study
The researchers designed a clever experiment where a trained actor, embedded within various groups, would subtly portray specific moods.
The groups were given a task to complete: they role-played managers of a fictitious company who needed to allocate employee bonus money. The actor was trained to express their assigned mood consistently throughout the interaction using both verbal and nonverbal cues.
They used multiple measures to assess the spread of emotions:
Outside coders watched videotapes of the sessions and rated participants' moods.
Participants self-reported their moods.
Participants rated each other's moods and behaviors.
In addition to mood, they measured other outcomes like cooperation, conflict, and perceived task performance.
By observing and analyzing the participants' self-reported and externally-rated moods, the study confirmed that emotions, indeed, are contagious.
Interestingly, the study didn't find a significant difference in the spread of positive versus negative emotions, suggesting both are equally transmittable.
What makes this research particularly relevant for leaders like you is its exploration of how emotional contagion impacts team effectiveness.
The study found that groups experiencing positive emotional contagion demonstrated higher levels of cooperation, lower levels of conflict, and ultimately, perceived their task performance as more successful.
What does it mean for leaders like you
Think about the implications for your own teams. It suggests that the emotional tone we set - or that any influential team member sets - can ripple out and affect the entire group's dynamics and performance. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of emotional intelligence and mood management in team settings.
As leaders, we have a significant influence on the emotional tone of our teams. By consciously cultivating a positive and enthusiastic environment, we can leverage the power of emotional contagion to cultivate collaboration, reduce friction, and ultimately, drive better performance.
Understanding that emotional contagion often operates at a subconscious level underscores the importance of non-verbal communication. Leaders who demonstrate positive body language, facial expressions, and tone can inadvertently set the emotional tone for the team, leading to a more cohesive and motivated group.
It's not about forcing emotions but rather about leading by example, bringing energy and optimism to the table, and creating a space where positive emotions can flourish.
It also means that it’s increasingly important for leaders to be self-aware of themselves in terms of the emotional state they are projecting and whether it’s right for the team or not. A nervous leader during a crisis can also mean a more nervous set of team members. A calm leader during the same crisis can help calm the nerves of the rest of the team members.
Learn more from the researcher
This research was conducted by the late Dr. Sigal G. Barsade. While she’s no longer with us, here is an interview with her where she delved deeper into this research.
If you’re into stuff like this, you’ll find it absolutely fascinating (I know I did!).
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