Human See Human Do

Great leaders don’t just tell their teams what to do; they shape how their teams think, feel, and perform.

One of the most powerful yet underutilised tools for leaders is utilising the role of mirror neurons in team dynamics.

Mirror neurons are specialised brain cells that help us mimic and internalise the emotions, behaviours, and energy of those around us. By harnessing this natural neurological mechanism, leaders can silently influence and elevate their teams to peak performance, reduce stress, and foster a culture of resilience and high achievement.

Understanding Mirror Neurons Hacks For Higher Team Performance

Mirror neurons fire when we observe someone else’s actions, emotions, or behaviours, allowing us to “mirror” or internalise them as if they were our own experiences. This is why moods and attitudes are contagious in a workplace.

A leader’s stress or frustration can ripple through a team just as easily as their enthusiasm and confidence.

By consciously managing their own emotional and physiological states, leaders can create a positive feedback loop that enhances motivation, collaboration, and productivity among their team members.

How Leaders Can Hack Mirror Neurons for Team Performance

1.  Embody the Mindset You Want to See If you want your team to be innovative, solution-oriented, and focused, you must first exhibit those traits yourself.Your team subconsciously picks up on your mental and emotional state.Walk into meetings with confidence, maintain open body language, and actively engage in problem-solving. When you model calmness under pressure, your team is more likely to follow suit.
2. Use Positive and Clear Communication Your tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language matter just as much as the words you say.Encourage your team with genuine, uplifting and empowering language. Avoid stress-inducing communication patterns such as abrupt criticism or unclear directives. Instead, use constructive feedback and a tone that inspires rather than intimidates.
3. Set the Emotional Temperature of the Room Before entering a team meeting or conversation, take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you bringing stress into the space? Are you feeling rushed or frustrated? If so, pause and reset.The energy you bring will dictate the energy of the group. Even a few balancing breaths before speaking can help you project calmness and clarity.
4. Engage in Breathwork to Reduce Stress and Enhance Focus One of the most powerful ways to regulate your nervous system—and by extension, influence your team’s energy—is through breathwork.Controlled breathing can shift your body from a fight-or-flight state to a calm and focused one, which your team will instinctively mirror.This is extremely powerful and enables you to lead from within with ease and grace.  Gail has been training leaders to lead and empower team performance transformation for over two decades with consistently remarkable results using these strategies.Before high-stakes conversations or meetings, use this simple technique.  You’ll be in good company when you know Navy SEALs, and other elite forces use the power of breath to maintain calm, focus and composure in stressful situations.

Breath Focus: The Power of Influence and Breathwork

Initially, simply focus on your inhalation, then your exhalation.  There is no need to do anything more than become aware of your breath.

As you are comfortable with observing your breath, add a mental count to your inhalation and a separate count to your exhalation.

Inhale and exhale for an equal count – inhale for count of 4 (or your natural mental count without any force), exhale for count of 4.

As you progress you could extend to what is called Box Breathing:

– Inhale for four counts

– Hold for four counts

– Exhale for four counts

– Hold for four counts

– Repeat for a few minutes

This practice not only calms your mind, rebalances the left and right hemispheres of your brain, but also regulates your physiological state, making you a source of stability for your team.

5. Encourage Teamwide Breathwork and Mindful Practices – Teams that proactively conquer stress perform better.

Encourage short breathing exercises before brainstorming sessions or at the start of meetings to centre everyone’s focus.

Even a collective deep breath before a big presentation can align the team’s energy and enhance performance.

For cultural high performance consider implementing Breathing Breaks – these have been designed by Gail and the process implemented to boost productivity.  They are specific, tailored to each person and integrated into the working day.  Integration and not standalone or silo wellbeing initiatives are key to continued high performance.

Final Thoughts: Lead from Within

Leadership isn’t just about strategies and decision-making; it’s about influence at the neurological level.

Your team will reflect what you project, so managing your own emotions and physiology is key to inspiring higher performance.

By incorporating mirror neuron awareness and breathwork into your leadership approach, you’ll create an environment where resilience, focus, and collaboration thrive.

The best leaders know that true transformation starts with them.

Master your own state of being, and your team will follow suit, reaching new heights of productivity and well-being.

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