Bruce Kasanoff* says if we give in to our worst moods, we are only going to spread negativity to those around us.
Emotions and moods are contagious.
Emotional contagion has been defined as follows:
“A process in which a person or group influences the emotions or behaviour of another person or group through the conscious or unconscious induction of emotion states and behavioural attitudes.”
In other words, if you walk into a meeting in a foul mood, you will pull the energy in the room — how other people feel — towards negativity.
Some emotions are beyond your control, but many are not.
Most of us are capable of making decisions such as to be grateful for the day’s blessings, rather than to be upset because two things went wrong.
As you move through the world, you spread your moods and emotions to others.
Knowing this, the only rational decision is to do everything in your power to spread positive moods and emotions.
To do otherwise knowingly harms the world and people around you.
There are unlimited opportunities to be negative, and most of them are best used as discretely as possible.
If an employee isn’t doing their job, tell them privately and offer constructive suggestions.
If a friend lets you down, share your feelings in a manner that encourages your friend to be more sensitive to your needs.
If you don’t like what politicians are doing, run for office or support a new candidate.
Spewing negativity is destructive and foolhardy.
Some years ago, Chair of the Future in Review conference, Mark Anderson told me that the internet was not a mirror of human activity; it was an amplifier.
Since that time, we’ve seen Facebook morph from a goofy place to chat with people you knew in high school to a tool embraced by evil forces and subversive Government agents.
That’s pretty scary, and it’s time each of us adopted a proactive, personal strategy to push back.
I’d like to suggest that you take three steps to ensure that you are a force for good rather than evil.
First, make a conscious decision to spread positive energy.
This doesn’t mean that you suddenly have to start acting like Pollyanna.
It means that you behave in a respectful, compassionate and optimistic manner, to the greatest extent possible.
Second, fully embrace a growth mindset, because in doing so you will lean towards learning and being open-minded.
You will be much more likely to view people who think differently than you as opportunities to learn, rather than as threats to your very existence.
Third, strive to be clear about your own behaviour.
I know from personal experience that it’s possible to spend years being sullen without ever perceiving that I was being sullen.
Start every interaction with a smile. Express gratitude often.
Recognise that the mere fact that you are able to read this article makes you more fortunate than so many people around the world who lack access to the internet.
Nobody likes a grouch, so don’t be one.
*Bruce Kasanoff is a ghostwriter for entrepreneurs. He is the author of How to Grow Your Career by Helping Others.
This article first appeared at Kasanoff.com.
