Emotional State

Understanding your team’s emotional state is an often overlooked—yet incredibly important—component of developing a high-performing leadership team.

Our emotions inform our behaviors. They influence how we interact with one another, the ideas we generate, and the decisions we make. 

Research shows that positive emotions expand our awareness, opening us up to greater possibility and creativity. We generate more ideas and pursue more experiences under the influence of positive emotions. Negative emotions, on the other hand, narrow our focus and make us less generative of and less receptive to new ideas and experiences. 

We also know that specific emotions, like gratitude and amusement, can serve as powerful relationship boosters. A well articulated “thank you” or a shared laugh may be just what your team needs to strengthen ties and inspire members to feel a sense of belonging and pride.

Express gratitude

Expressing your appreciation for something another person did for you not only makes them more likely to help you again in the future, it also strengthens your relationship. But not all “thanks” are effective. The most relationally potent way to say “thank you” is to emphasize the person (i.e., the “you”), not the good deed. If your teammate helps you put together an important presentation, don’t just emphasize how great the presentation was—be sure to praise the teammate, too. Tell them how thoughtful and hard working they are, how much you appreciate them and are glad to have them on your team. Learn more

Celebrate each other’s successes

Showing another person you understand, validate, and care for them is key for strong relationships by building interpersonal safety, trust, and overall closeness. What’s more—the relational value of responsiveness isn’t only limited to times of stress. How you respond to another’s good news is also predictive of relationship quality. So the next time a colleague shares a personal success, be intentional about how you respond. Avoid downplaying their excitement or turning the conversation to be about your own successes. Try asking questions to learn more, share in their excitement and celebrate with them. Learn more

Prioritize positivity

Positive emotions are expansive—they broaden our attention, paving the way for greater creativity and social connection. The best way to ensure your team gets its recommended dose of positive emotions is to intentionally build positive experiences into your schedule. Don’t wait for your yearly offsite, try building smaller moments of positivity and connection into your weekly rituals. This can be as simple as opening meetings with a round of good news, taking meetings while walking around a beautiful park, or enjoying a meal together. Learn more