I frequently witness leaders who fail to recognize how their power contributes to workplace morale, team dynamics, and results. No matter how humble a leader is, power is in the eyes of the junior person in any exchange. When you’re the boss, you can’t control how others perceive your status.
Contrary to popular belief, positional power doesn’t license negative emotional expression; it amplifies it. What registers as mild irritation with a peer can become a seismic event when it comes from the boss. That’s why it’s essential to build emotional resolve: the ability to process your thoughts and feelings and choose which ones you bring into interactions with team members.
Negative emotional expression doesn’t just mean you get angry or you act rudely. It also includes stress responses like hastily responding to emails without fully understanding the context and not recognizing that you create more work for others. It can show up as distraction in a meeting when someone is sharing information important to them, and you’re checking your phone. It can be elevated pushback when a change initiative is underway.
Don’t underestimate the power of your mood on your team. Instead, consider these factors:
- Your bad afternoon can become the team’s bad week. Status creates a multiplier on everything you transmit. When you sense you can’t engage calmly and professionally, minimize others’ exposure to your bad mood by limiting interactions until you can get space and rest. Don’t allow your stress to derail productivity.
- Learn to spot your own tells. Build self-awareness to recognize when your interactions with others are degrading. Maybe you start moving through your inbox at high speed, firing off tasks; maybe you sense a terseness in your voice; or maybe you start going off on tangents. Whatever your less-than-best behaviors are, have the courage to see them, name them, and then respond with the self-care needed to get back to your best.
- Value decorum. Even temperament, approachability, and professionalism aren’t soft; they create the conditions for people to do their best work. Our current culture has an “anything goes” vibe; don’t mistake the moment for what’s appropriate on the job.
When confronted with the damage of their less-than-ideal behavior, leaders can fall into the trap of self-excusing by proclaiming, “I wasn’t that bad; I was just frustrated. They know I don’t mean it.” But impact isn’t determined by intent. It’s determined by the people on the receiving end. Because of power differentials at work, team members are far less likely to tell you the truth about the negative impact of your actions.
Strong leaders work to create calm, predictable, productive climates at work. They know team morale begins with them. A steady demeanor sets the tone for high performance.
Founded in 2004, Lead Star is the company behind the best-selling books SPARK, Leading from the Front, and Bet on You. Lead Star helps professionals reach new levels of success through its innovative leadership development programs.
