GUEST POST BY Wendy Jenkins OAM, READY RESILIENCE
Ready Resilience helps organisations thrive during times of change and challenge, using practical neuroscience-based resilience tools that have been proven to offer in-the-moment solutions and long-lasting results. Learn actionable tips you can apply right away in Ready Resilience Founder Wendy Jenkins’ articles, written exclusively for the TEMi community.
Unleashing the power of neuroleadership: Emotional contagions
One of the more fascinating insights from neuroscience is the contagious nature of emotion. As social beings, we are wired to pick up on and mirror the emotions of others – often without realising it. This has profound implications for neuroleadership.
At the centre of this emotional contagion are mirror neurons – specialised brain cells that activate both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing it. These neurons help us empathise, understand intent, and synchronise with those around us. In a team environment, this means people naturally absorb and reflect the emotional state of their leader.
In practice, the leader becomes the ’emotional thermostat’ of the group. If a leader shows up anxious, reactive, or disengaged, it subtly signals to the team that there’s a reason to feel tense or withdrawn. On the other hand, when a leader demonstrates calm, optimism, and focus – especially under pressure – it provides psychological safety and encourages others to do the same.
This isn’t about suppressing emotions or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about emotional regulation – recognising and managing your own state so you can respond rather than react. Neuroleaders who practice self-awareness and emotional regulation create a ripple effect that stabilises the emotional climate of the workplace.
The benefits are real: lower stress, better collaboration, clearer thinking, and improved decision-making across the team. In high-stakes or high-change environments, this neuroleadership skill becomes even more critical.
Emotions are not just personal – they’re shared. As a neuroleader, your state becomes your strategy.
Two questions to reflect on daily:
o What emotional tone am I bringing into the workplace, and how might it be impacting others – especially under stress?
o How consciously do I regulate my own state before engaging with my team?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wendy Jenkins is the founder of Ready Resilience, Co-Founder of the Lungitude Foundation, certified Neuroplastician, Speaker and Lung Transplant Survivor.
Ready Resilience helps organisations thrive during times of change and challenge, using practical neuroscience-based resilience tools that have been proven to offer in-the-moment solutions and long-lasting results.
Having been told she had two years to live over eighteen years ago, Wendy is passionate about empowering people to transform their perspective on life’s challenges through dynamic masterclasses, workshops, and certified resilience training.
To learn how Wendy can support and inspire you at your next conference, leadership event, or personal development session, visit www.readyresilience.com email [email protected] or connect with Wendy on LinkedIn.
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