Your Energy is Contagious—Are You Infecting or Inspiring?

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt lighter—or heavier—without anyone saying a word?

That, my friend, is social contagion at work. And no, it’s not just woo-woo energy talk (although I love a good vibe check). It’s science.

Social contagion is the psychological phenomenon where our emotions, behaviors, and even beliefs spread from person to person, like the flu—but sneakier and more powerful. We “catch” feelings from others, whether it’s a bad mood, a burst of laughter, or that collective eye-roll during a long meeting.

And guess what? It’s happening all the time. Especially in leadership.

The Science Behind the Spiral

Researchers like Dr. Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler (authors of Connected) have shown that everything from happiness to obesity can spread through social networks. Yep—your best friend’s cousin’s co-worker’s attitude might actually be rubbing off on you. It’s like emotional secondhand smoke.

Mirror neurons in our brains are partly to blame—they cause us to automatically mimic the emotions and behaviors of those around us. It’s part of our evolutionary design. But here’s where it gets interesting: in leadership, parenting, relationships, and coaching, we’re not just catching energy—we’re also broadcasting it.

Are You the Thermostat or the Thermometer?

Thermometers react to the room. Thermostats set the tone.

In your business, your team, your family… people are tuning into your emotional frequency whether you mean to broadcast it or not. If you’re running around like a stress tornado, you’re not just stressed—you’re contagious.

But the opposite is also true. Calm. Grounded. Curious. Empowered. These, too, are contagious.

That’s what conscious leadership is all about—recognizing your ripple effect. As outlined in the Conscious Leadership model by Jim Dethmer and his team, leaders who operate above the line—from a place of presence, ownership, and curiosity—create cultures where trust and innovation can thrive

The Energy Audit: How Are You Showing Up?

Here’s a quick gut check:

Are people more energized or drained after spending time with you?
How do your moods set the tone for the room?
What unspoken “vibe” are you transmitting?

(If you’re brave, ask someone you trust—and prepare for the truth bomb.)

So What Can You Do?

Let’s not overcomplicate this. Here’s how to become an intentional carrier of positive social contagion:

Own your emotional wake. Check in before you check out. Your state affects the whole system.
Practice emotional hygiene. Meditation, journaling, breathwork, walking your dog (Gus in my case)—whatever keeps your nervous system regulated.
Be the invitation. You don’t have to force people to change—just embody what’s possible. That’s leadership.
Surround yourself wisely. Contagion flows both ways. Your circle matters more than you think.