Hidden influence of emotions in the workplace

A few years ago, I had to go through some very difficult experiences. One of those days an old friend came to see my mother. Their son was very cheerful and energetic. He spent some time with us and then went back. Conversations and interactions with him changed my mood very positively and energized me.

We all have opposite experiences in our lives. When we get involved with some people, we feel drained of energy and the other person's depression gets to us.

We've all experienced how the emotions of those we interact with, whether at work, socially, or within our families, can influence our own mental state. Often, we unknowingly absorb and imitate their antics and emotions. Analysing this scientifically, we reach the world of knowledge called mirror neurons.

What are mirror neurons?

Mirror neurons are a scientific discovery led by neurologist Giacomo Rizzolatti at the University of Parma in the 1990s.

We refer to mirror neurons as groups of neurons that play an important role in making it possible in the brain when a person engages in self-actions or observes different actions of another.

They are especially evident in great apes, our ancestors. It is difficult to accept the fact that we are often mimicking someone else's reactions and emotions that we often think we are in control of.

However, we are often careful to distance ourselves from people and situations that negatively affect our mood, as well as to approach those that positively affect it.

We must understand this unconscious imitation as the basis of empathy. Let's look at the practical use of this knowledge in the communication and exchange of ideas between people in an enterprise.

Shaping organisational culture

An organisation's mind or culture is formed as an extension of the ideas, personalities, and visions of its key driver or drivers.

Therefore, we can see that their emotions and their manifestations are transferred to others in that organization very quickly.

This influence can be seen to be strong for the people in the top management team and for the middle management below it, as well as the middle management for its subordinates.

In addition, this influence exists among colleagues at each level. 

Sugegstions

Here are some suggestions for putting the scientific knowledge described above to practical use in an organisation:

Entrepreneurs leading the organisation should pay special attention to displaying body language and expressions that are consistent with the organisation's culture and goals when interacting with employees, customers, and service providers. For example: A business owner who wants to provide a good experience to the customer through the employees must deal with the employees very politely and maturely. Customers are often a reflection of  the care an organization shows its employees.

Each department has a different style, body language, and energy. For example: the body language, attitude, and mannerisms of someone in the accounting department may not be the same for marketing or customer relations. When selecting employees and heads for each department, those who can work together as a team understand each other and move forward should be selected. 

For example: When someone with an analytical mind is tested in marketing, the result is predictable. Although seemingly trivial, this discrepancy is evident in many organizations.

Each team leader must be trained in how to instil hope, enthusiasm and motivation in others. Constant monitoring is essential to see if discouraging behaviour is coming from them.

Pay particular attention to people who consistently behave or react in a way that creates negative feelings in others and take corrective action if possible.

Measures should be taken in real-time to support people who are going through a mood for personal or social reasons. Care should be taken not to let their depressed moods or mental disorders negatively affect the work or energy of others. 

Workplaces and environments should create an environment where people feel energized and active. The mood of the people will be the main criterion in the choice of colours, pictures, and indoor plants. Maximum availability of sunlight and air circulation should be ensured.

It is possible to see that the working environment of an organization improves when everyone behaves with the awareness that their actions and emotions have an impact on others. When an organization can be organized in this culture from top to bottom, an enterprise grows into something capable of doing something useful to society.

(The author is the Director of Hanhold Consulting Pvt. Ltd. E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.hanhold.com Tel: 62386 01079)

*This article was originally published in Dhanam Business Magazine.