In June of 2012, our family moved to Colorado Springs from the Midwest. It was only a few days after settling in when we witnessed something unforgettable. We were spending the day “touristing” on top of Pikes Peak when we noticed a small plume of smoke rising in the distance. Curious, I pointed it out to a nearby forest ranger. Without missing a beat, he looked at the smoke and said, “You better head down the mountain quickly; that small fire is about to be out of control.” As Midwesterners, we’d never experienced fires so we quickly heeded his advice.
As we made our way down the mountain, what started as a small campfire quickly grew into a raging wildfire. The mountainside was soon engulfed in flames, with helicopters already circling overhead to try and control the blaze. Less than an hour later, roads were closed, and hundreds of homes were suddenly in danger. The end result is what is now referred to as the Waldo Canyon Fire which was one of the most destructive in Colorado history destroying 346 homes and burning over 18,000 acres.
Not nearly as dramatic as this story is how similar our emotions can be. Emotions spread like wildfire. Whether you realize it or not, your mood and energy rub off on your team. As a leader, that emotional ripple effect gets amplified, influencing not just individuals but your entire team’s culture. This is the concept of emotional contagion, and it’s more powerful than most leaders realize.
Emotional contagion is when your emotions transfer to others, almost like catching a cold. It happens instinctively through non-verbal cues—your facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language all send signals that people pick up on. If you’re not careful, your stress or frustration can spread just as fast as that wildfire, creating a tense and negative atmosphere. But just like how a fire can be controlled with the right response, emotional contagion can be managed. If you’re intentional, you can use your emotional influence to foster positivity, resilience, and collaboration instead of chaos.
I learned the importance of managing emotional contagion from a manager I work with. He introduced me to the concept of a non-anxious presence, something he picked up from one of his mentors. As I’ve thought about this over many months, it’s become clear to me that it is critical in leadership. Being a non-anxious presence doesn’t mean ignoring problems or staying detached—it’s about remaining calm and steady, even when everything feels out of control. When you can maintain that level-headedness, you become the anchor your team needs during difficult times, helping them stay grounded and focused.
The Emotional Domino Effect in Leadership
Emotional contagion happens fast and without us even realizing it. There’s science behind this, too—humans have something called mirror neurons, which make us mimic the emotions of others. If someone’s smiling, we tend to smile back. If they’re stressed or upset, we might start feeling on edge, too.
In a leadership role, this matters more than you think. When times get tough or things feel uncertain, your team looks to you for cues on how they should feel. If you’re panicking or frazzled, your team is going to pick up on that energy and reflect it. On the flip side, if you stay cool, calm, and collected, they’ll take that as a sign that they can keep their focus and keep pushing forward.
Picture this: your team is up against a tight deadline, and the pressure is on. If you start hovering over every detail or letting your stress show, your team will feed off that energy, making them more anxious and less productive. But if you can project calm confidence—letting them know you trust their abilities—you’ll notice a shift. The team will stay more focused, energized, and solution-oriented.
Why Leaders Need a Non-Anxious Presence
When you lead with a non-anxious presence, you unlock several important benefits:
- Better Decision-Making: Anxiety throws us into fight-or-flight mode, making it harder to think creatively or weigh options. A calm leader can think more clearly and guide their team toward smart, strategic decisions.
- Builds Trust: Trust is built on consistency. When you’re calm under pressure, your team feels safe and secure, knowing that you’ve got things under control. That trust will make them more likely to follow your lead, even in challenging situations.
- Creates a Positive Culture: Your emotional state sets the tone for your team. When you’re steady and optimistic, you create a culture where people feel safe to take risks and collaborate. They aren’t paralyzed by the fear of failure.
- Boosts Morale and Resilience: Teams take their cues from their leaders. If you model resilience and calm under pressure, they’ll be more likely to stay positive and push through challenges.
- Shows Emotional Intelligence: Leaders who embody a non-anxious presence are emotionally intelligent. They can regulate their emotions, stay composed, and create a ripple effect that helps others do the same.
How to Develop a Non-Anxious Presence
Being a non-anxious leader isn’t about pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. It’s about finding a way to stay grounded, no matter what’s happening around you. Here are a few ways to develop that presence:
- Check in with Yourself: Self-awareness is the first step. Take a moment to recognize your emotions. Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or frustrated? Knowing where you’re at helps you manage your emotions before they affect your team.
- Learn to Pause: When emotions are running high, hit pause. Take a deep breath, go for a quick walk, or do something to reset. This helps you avoid reacting out of emotion and gives you time to think clearly.
- Communicate with Intention: Your words and tone matter. Speak calmly, keep your body language open, and make sure your message is clear. This shows your team that you’re in control and focused on solutions.
- Focus on What You Can Control: Anxiety often comes from feeling like things are out of your hands. Instead of stressing over what you can’t change, focus on what you can—your actions, your communication, and how you respond to challenges.
- Model Calmness Under Pressure: Your team will follow your lead, especially when things get tough. If you stay calm and focused, they’ll be more likely to mirror that behavior.
- Empathy Without Feeding Anxiety: A non-anxious presence doesn’t mean ignoring your team’s emotions. It’s important to acknowledge how they’re feeling, show understanding, and provide reassurance. But instead of feeding into their anxiety, focus on what you can do to support and move forward.
Stay Calm, Cool, and Collected
As a leader, your emotions have a bigger impact than you might realize. Emotional contagion is real, but you can harness it for good by cultivating a non-anxious presence. When you stay calm and grounded, you create a ripple effect that influences your team’s mindset, performance, and overall morale.
In moments of uncertainty or high pressure, your team will look to you for guidance. If you can stay centered, manage your own emotional state, and lead with confidence, you’ll set the tone for your team to thrive—even when the going gets tough.
