Foster positive energy at work

Research shows that positive energy is contagious and can lead to a happier and more productive team. Here’s some inspiration on how to create an infectious culture.Are your colleagues boosting you or dragging you down? How much energy do you have at work? Do you feel invigorated and engaged or down and disengaged? Either way, the reason might be your coworkers: They are infecting you with their energy, positive or negative.

3 behaviours that create an infectious culture

A positive leader

If you have an energising boss, chances are that you feel engaged at work. This translates into higher performance and productivity as well. No matter if you're a leader or not, make sure you smile, encourage positive sharing, and celebrate successes.

Energising interactions

Energising interactions include instances when we create a positive vision, when we contribute meaningfully to a conversation, when people are fully present and attentive, and when we have an interaction that gives us a sense of progress and hope. In short: meaningful interactions give us energy and help us stay engaged at work.

Managing your relational energy

You are a source of relational energy as well as a recipient. When you generate relational energy in the workplace, your performance goes up. The more people you energise, the higher your productivity potential at work. This occurs because people want to be around you. You attract talent, and people are more likely to devote their time to your projects. They’ll gladly offer ideas, information, and opportunities to you. But beware, this goes the other way around as well. If you drain others, they may lower your productivity. Rational energy can be increased by focusing on the following 3 things:

• Build High-Quality Connections. Meaningful connections that benefit everyone involved are a great boost for relational energy.
• Create Energising Events. Organise and run events with an explicit focus creating energy, not just delivering content, products, or services.
• Use Tools that Promote a “Giver” Culture. The act of helping someone at work creates energy in the form of positive emotions — the “warm glow” of helping.

You can do something about negative energy at your workplace by focusing on relational energy — the energy we get and give in our daily interactions.