Positive energy at the Workplace enhances productive outcomes

Every individual who enters the room has a certain aura or energy level, which contributes to either enhancing or diminishing the overall atmosphere. This is a common dynamic in a typical workplace, where a mix of personalities interact; some are friendly, some are unfriendly, some are easy to deal with, and others are challenging.

A common observation indicates that an increase in positive energy within the workplace enhances productivity and leads to better outcomes. For example, a person may avoid difficult conversations due to uncertainty about the behaviour of their colleagues, making the task at hand more challenging. This is especially true when surrounded by colleagues projecting negative energy, which undermines collaboration and hinders effective teamwork.

There is a prominent psychological perspective, known as emotional contagion, which significantly influences team dynamics. Emotional contagion is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual unconsciously mirrors or mimics the emotions of others.

This occurs through nonverbal clues such as facial expressions and behaviours, leading individuals to express similar emotions or adopt the behaviors of those around them. Emotional contagion can be both positive and negative, shaping interactions. Team cohesion and overall workplace atmosphere.

Studies have indicated the role of mirror neurons in shaping human collective behaviours. Research suggests that these neurons respond to observed actions in others and fire at the same frequency (1), effectively recreating those actions in the observer (1). This process leads to behavioural imitation, where individuals unconsciously mirror the actions of those around them, emphasising the collective psychological effects within shared environments (1). In workplaces, the energy and aura of people significantly shape the overall atmosphere, influencing interactions and contributing to team dynamics.

Leadership and organisational culture have a strong association with a positive workplace atmosphere, as strong leadership can foster positivity within the work environment. Toxic work culture is a primary factor in reducing employee engagement (2). Certain factors that contribute to reduced engagement include lower pay, as well as workplace bullying, harassment, and ostracism (2).

Additionally, a toxic workplace environment demolishes a person's sense of security and is bound to negatively impact their well-being (2). This is where strong leadership plays an important role in encouraging optimism and motivation. The positive attitude of leadership also acts as a psychological safety for employees and contributes to fostering collaboration and communication.

Previous arguments suggest that the workplace is shaped by people. Depending on the behaviour or aura of individuals, drastic changes in the overall environment of the workplace can be observed, whether positive or negative.

There is the possibility and necessity for certain measures to be implemented specifically by leadership to provide psychological relief to individuals struggling to express themselves. Such expression of feelings can ease psychological stress caused by a toxic work environment and empower individuals to collaborate effectively, working towards achieving collective outcomes.

References

1. Acharya, S. and Shukla, S. (2012). Mirror neurons: Enigma of the metaphysical modular brain. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, [online] 3(2), pp.118–124. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-9668.101878.
2. Rasool, S.F., Wang, M., Tang, M., Saeed, A. and Iqbal, J. (2021). How Toxic Workplace Environment Effects the Employee engagement: the Mediating Role of Organizational Support and Employee Wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), pp.1–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052294.