Emotional Contagions

In the last five years, a growing body of psychological research — much of it focused on the emotionally negative or positive boss — is bearing out the power one individual’s mood can have on others.
“It is one of the most robust phenomena I have ever seen,” said University of New Hampshire researcher Richard Saavedra. “And it’s all unconscious.” - Kansas City Star article

We humans have this uncanny ability to sense mood. Think about the last time you went home to a spouse that was a little perturbed. Took mere seconds to pick up on it I suspect. Recent studies have shown that our ability to pick-up on emotional cues leads to a rapid interpretation of the data causing us to act differently toward others. Emotional contagions are like tiny virus particles super-charged with mood that have a significant impact (good and bad) on those who "ingest" them during interactions with others.

The most powerful of these contagions come from those in leadership positions. As a leader (either per the organizational chart or as an unofficial opinion leader) you send off emotional cues that infect the organization with either positive emotions or negative emotions. It is far more powerful and potent an influence than you likely recognize and should be used to strengthen your leadership.

Pay careful attention to how you enter a meeting and what mood you create. Watch your vocabulary very carefully to ensure you are building up and not tearing down. Learn to compartmentalize your life so a bad day at work doesn't spill over at home. Find joy in the meeting of people and let your thought life give guidance to your words and ways.

If your church is shaped by fear or has deep pockets of ridicule and pessimism, look at the mood of those in leadership to effectively bring out a positive change.