Your Secret, Untapped Energy Source

Are all the emergency lights flashing when you climb into your leadership cockpit? If you're like managers I informally poll, you are flooded with urgent emails, immediate chat requests, and even more meetings. Firing up your computer is like walking into a Las Vegas casino's noise and light show—it can be brain-frying. 

But did you know that you can get your team (and yourself) a newfound get-up-and-go?

No, you don't need some new vitamin shake or a frenetic exercise schedule.

You're thinking, wait, will he tell me to smile, have fun, and smell the roses? Um, yes, but let's look at a little science and the psychology of positivity before I close with some quick tips.

• In 2004, psychologist Barbara Fredrickson outlined her Broaden and Build theory in an influential paper published in The Royal Society. The theory states that positive emotions are cumulative and create an upward spiral. In other words, positivity spreads in the workplace and can be infectious.
• In 1998, Martin Seligman rocked the Psychology world when, as President of the American Psychological Association, he set the annual theme as positive psychology. Rather than looking at what was wrong with people, this ground-breaking new approach focused on happiness and well-being. It strives to improve quality of life and has generated significant advances in psychology. 
• In my 2023 discussions with the Chief Scientists at the Gallup organization, I reinforced my basic tenet that one's immediate boss is the primary driver of workplace positivity. A boss sets the tone and is a significant influencer of culture. In short, positivity drives engagement, which drives performance.

Let's start with the basics—two simple formulas.

• Positive emotions = positive energy, creativity, productivity, and sky-high morale
• Negative emotions = slumped and depleted energy, zero motivation, conflict, resentment and burnout

True leaders understand how to tap into positive emotions as a massive energy source.

They also intuitively know the cost of negativity. Feeling unsafe and unhappy can freeze people for hours, leaving them staring unproductively at a computer screen. 

I've seen this negativity register on fMRIs. Slights, uncertainty, and perceived unfairness visibly shut the brain down, while joy, warmth, recognition, laughter, and celebration energize us. Good leaders know how to work with their emotions and those of others. 

Here are a few reminders to help:

1. We return to our old friends, positive reinforcement and feedback—they remain huge drivers of a positive work environment.
2. Recognition and appreciation remain in short supply in most organizations, even though informal recognition is more immediately powerful and easier to give than the formal recognition certificate from HR. Remember to celebrate milestones and thank employees frequently for their accomplishments and actions.
3. Notice which actions, words, and choices trigger positive vs. negative emotions. Build your EQ. You can't change your behaviors and habits overnight, but you can work on it daily. Even small positive changes are better than nothing.

As one final tip, to help you work on item 3 above, pick one positive "trigger" to use with your team – and practice it. Some examples you can use:

1. Listen fully.

1. Create small moments of connection – a smile, a quick word of validation and affirmation, or even a cup of coffee and a short chat about their day, family, or recent workplace wins.

1. Use social recognition – using a social platform to praise real successes in the team.

1. Don't forget fun and laughter – they are underrecognized as massive positive emotion triggers.

What have you done to bring more positive emotion into your team? Please add a comment. I'd love to know.

Until next time.

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Mike