People often take their cues from the leader in the room. Whether you realize it or not, your mood, body language, and energy set the tone for how others respond. If you want your team to show focus, optimism, or determination, the most effective way to inspire it is to model it yourself.

Energy is contagious. When leaders bring a calm, steady presence to a stressful moment, it helps others stay grounded. When they bring enthusiasm and engagement to a new project, it makes the work feel exciting and worth the effort. The opposite is also true; negativity or anxiety from a leader can quickly ripple through the team.

Modeling the right energy begins with self-awareness. Ask yourself what the situation requires. Does the team need encouragement to push through a challenge? Do they need reassurance during uncertainty? Do they need your focus and attention to mirror their own? Being intentional about the mindset you display shapes the team’s response.

This is not about faking emotions. It is about choosing to show up in a way that supports the group’s needs. You can acknowledge challenges while still projecting confidence. You can express urgency without creating panic. Striking that balance is what makes a leader both authentic and effective.

It also means being consistent. One strong moment of leadership energy can help, but sustained modeling builds trust. Over time, your team comes to expect and rely on the steady, constructive presence you bring, no matter the situation.

The best leaders understand that their presence is not neutral—it influences everything from morale to problem-solving. By deliberately modeling the mindset and energy you want to see, you create the environment that allows your team to perform at their best.

Our Core Program helps leaders identify the energy they bring to situations and teaches strategies to align it with the results they want to inspire.

~by Michelle Cummings, Founder & CEO, Personify Leadership

Tip/Tool for Implementation:  Your energy is contagious. Show the mindset you want others to match.

Leaders who model the mindset or energy they want from others set the tone for success. By being intentional about their presence, they inspire focus, optimism, and resilience in their teams. This approach builds trust, strengthens morale, and shapes a positive work environment.

Supportive Research: “Positively Energizing Leadership Fuels Work Performance” — Psychology Today (March 2025). Jamie Shapiro Ph.D.