Believe it or not, we can catch other people’s emotions!
Mary Schechter
Karen loved being around George.
It wasn’t just his smile or willingness to ask how she was doing, it was just that it “felt” good.
Whenever Carrie had to work with Becky, she noticed she felt down and irritable at the end of the day, even as she began her day in an upbeat mood. Nothing seemed to change the pattern; however, what she did know was Becky’s complaining and negativity lasted from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm .
Those 8.5 hours felt long, no matter how much she loved her job.
Emotions are like a bad cold- we pick them up when we least expect it and carry them with us throughout our day, unaware.
Often an unconscious “transmission”, we might walk away from an encounter feeling differently than we started and not know why. The emotions we take on as our own come in all shapes and sizes, from fear and anger to joy and excitement. When it comes to emotional contagion, there is no selectivity.
Research Reveals
According to a 2008 research study, “ one person’s state of “happiness” can spread to their entire social group, increasing reported happiness scores of up to 25%.” (Sifferlin, 2018)
Mimicry, or the process of reproducing another’s specific behaviors, such as frowning, laughing, or smiling is one way that we “synchronize” our moods to those we are with. Often unconscious, it is a way to bond or come into alignment with our coworkers, patients, clients, or family.
A Workplace Breakthrough
In over 10 years of research, Professor Sigal Barsade, of the Wharton School of Business, found that organizations who cultivated an environment of compassion and consideration, expressed outwardly as care and concern for coworkers, increased job satisfaction and reduced job burnout.
Why Do I Care?
Modeling through daily actions is how to shift an organization in the direction of care and compassion.
Consider the power of a smile, using someone’s name, stopping to ask how a coworker’s day is going are powerful methods which shift the tide of latent negativity. To do so is to plant a seed which will reap lots of rewards for those around you.
Ask yourself this question today – how am I adding a positive “vibe” to my day-to-day relationships. The answer might surprise you!
Sifferlin, Alexandra. ( 2018). Are Emotions Contagious? TIME Special Edition- The Science of Emotions, 40-46.
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