Leadership is contagious. Your tone, pace, and energy shape the emotional climate of your team. When you’re centered, your team performs better. Basically, your team mirrors your nervous system. Here is the science behind the mirror:
- Mirror neurons cause teams to “catch” your stress or calm.
- Polyvagal theory shows we read safety from facial cues and voice tone.
To ground your leadership, here are 3 simple practices to follow:
- Micro Grounding: Feel your feet on the ground and breathe out slowly.
- Emotional Labeling: Name your emotion without judgment.
- Meeting Intention: Ask, “How do I want people to feel after this interaction?”
Case example:
A sales director who added 2 minutes of mindful breathing at the start of weekly calls saw increased team engagement, fewer escalations, and faster deal cycles.
In conclusion, before you optimize the org chart, try optimizing your nervous system first.
