Do You Have a Toxic Atmosphere at Work?

Source: From Diane Dreher, The Tao of Personal Leadershp

Our energies make a powerful difference in our world. An arrogant, ruthless leader can create a toxic atmosphere, while inspirational leaders can inspire and empower the people around them.

Research has revealed that interpersonal interactions are emotional energy transactions, producing measurable changes in our brain chemistry, blood pressure, hormone levels, cardiovascular function, and immune systems (Goleman et al, 2001).

A leader’s moods can affect—or infect—an entire organization, influencing productivity, profit, and overall corporate health, including the health of the people around them (Dreher, 2015). Egotistical, defensive, imbalanced, and volatile leaders can bring chaos to our world.

Because we have such a powerful influence on the energies around us, we are profoundly responsible for balancing the energies within us. Leading mindfully begins with recognizing our energies.Today, more than ever, a commitment to ongoing personal growth is a vital leadership task.

Try this practice to become more mindful of your energies:

Take a few moments to note your feelings about a challenge at work:

• Are you feeling nervous, anxious, angry? Something else?
• Where in your body do you feel this?
• Take a deep breath and release it as you name your feeling.
• Then take another deep breath and release it.
• Realize that your feelings are energy,
• That our energies, our feelings, come and go like waves upon the shore.

What energy do you want to feel more of?

• Take another deep breath,
• Breathe in that energy, that feeling, into your heart,

References

Dreher, D. E. (2015). Leading with compassion: A Moral compass for our time. In T. G. Plante (Ed.). The psychology of compassion and cruelty: Understanding the emotional, spiritual, and religious influences (pp. 73-87). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2001, December). Primal leadership: the hidden driver of great performance. Harvard Business Review, pp. 42-51.

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Diane Dreher is a best-selling author, positive psychology coach, and professor at Santa Clara University. Her latest book is Your Personal Renaissance: 12 Steps to Finding Your Life’s True Calling.

Visit her web sites at http://www.northstarpersonalcoaching.com/ and www.dianedreher.com