Ever walked into a room and immediately sensed tension, even though no one said a word?
Or left a conversation with someone upbeat and suddenly felt lighter and more energised?
That’s not a coincidence. That’s what is referred to as emotional contagion, the invisible but powerful psychological phenomenon where we “catch” emotions and absorb the energy of those around us.
As someone with a background in psychology and currently supporting People and Culture at Rhino Entertainment, I find emotional contagion both fascinating and crucial to understand, especially for leaders and teams who want to build resilient, positive work environments.
🧠 The Psychology Behind Emotional Contagion
Humans are wired for connection—and that includes absorbing each other’s emotions. Thanks to mirror neurones in our brains, we subconsciously mimic the moods, expressions, and even body language of those around us. This means stress, positivity, or calmness can quietly spread through a team—boosting or draining morale without a word being spoken. It’s not just feelings we mirror; it’s how people move, speak, and show up. We instinctively adjust our posture, tone, and gestures to match others, often as a way to build connection and empathy—this is referred to as behavioural mirroring, a subconscious way we build connection and empathy. In fact, with over 55% of communication being nonverbal, your body language is a powerful emotional transmitter.
👥 Why It Matters in the Workplace
Whether you’re leading a meeting or chatting with a coworker, your energy at your workplace matters. The way you show up, both emotionally and physically, sets the tone for those around you.
Picture this…
Someone walks into the office carrying visible stress, a sharp tone, distracted eyes, tense shoulders, crossed arms and deep sighs between words. They avoid eye contact. They haven’t said a word, but the room feels it.
The mood shifts. Conversations lose their spark. Smiles fade. Curiosity and creativity hesitate to surface. The energy? Drained.
Now flip it…
Another person enters, calm, grounded, and present. Their posture is open and relaxed, and greet others with a warm smile and steady eye contact. They move with intention, not urgency, and listen without interrupting and respond with clarity. It’s subtle, but it positively impacts the atmosphere in the room.
People open up. Energy rises. Ideas flow again. It’s not about being the loudest or most extroverted person in the room; it’s about showing up with emotional presence.
This isn’t just the job of managers or decision makers; everyone contributes to the emotional pulse of a team. Every interaction, every message, every unspoken cue sends a signal. We’re constantly influencing and being influenced.
It’s not about being “positive” all the time. It’s about being self-aware.
The mood you carry doesn’t stay contained; it spreads.
And your presence? It speaks before you do.
What Anyone Can Do to Shape the Workplace
Here are a few practical ways to manage emotional contagion and regulate your body language:
✅ Recognise Emotional Influence (“Name it to tame it”)
Be aware when emotions may be spreading. Pause and ask, “Is this feeling mine, or am I absorbing it from someone else?”
💡 Tip: Physical cues like jaw clenching, foot tapping, or crossed arms may signal stress, even if it’s unspoken.
✅ Regulate Your Emotional and Physical State
Take mindful breaks to reset, breathe deeply, stretch slowly, or step outside. This supports clearer thinking and calmer interactions.
💡 Tip: A grounded posture (feet flat on the floor, relaxed shoulders) communicates composure, even on busy days.
✅ Set Healthy Energetic Boundaries
Maintain empathy without absorbing others’ emotional states. Protect your mental space while remaining present.
💡 Tip: Simple posture shifts (e.g., uncrossing arms, softening facial expressions) help maintain balance without disengaging.
✅ Strengthen Your Emotional Awareness
Show up with intention, emotional clarity, and alignment between words and body language. Trust is built through consistency and presence.
💡 Tip: Reinforce emotional tone through nonverbal cues; smile when celebrating, nod when listening, and slow your pace in tense situations.
Tip Top Tip: Remember, you’re always communicating, especially when you’re not speaking.
At Rhino, just like in any other organisation, culture is contagious too.
At Rhino Entertainment, we’re not only driven by outcomes, we’re guided by empathy, connection, curiosity, and shared energy. We believe that emotional intelligence is part of performance, not separate from it.
Whether we’re giving feedback, celebrating achievements, handling pressure, or simply checking in on a colleague, we are continuously shaping the experiences of those around us. How we feel—and how we make others feel—is a vital part of creating a positive and connected community and workplace culture.
And here’s the beautiful and powerful part: when we intentionally share calm, optimism, and support, it creates real momentum. People begin to feel safer, more confident, and more connected—what we call psychological safety. That’s when meaningful collaboration and growth truly take place.
Of course, we’re all human. We all have off days. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of being open about it and the people around us understanding and respecting where we’re at that moment. Emotional presence includes honesty and awareness, not just optimism.
So here’s to being a bit more mindful of the energy we bring each day—to every meeting, call, and conversation.
Because emotions aren’t just something we carry; they’re something we share.
