ZT IN THE WORKPLACE: HAPPINESS FLOWS DOWNHILL

When you are a leader, everything you do impacts your team. Do you "get" that? When you pay
attention to people, they notice; when you smile, frown, appear confused, or take charge in a
crisis, they respond in kind. You are a major factor in the culture of your team.
This is not just Jim Smith sayin' that. It's been nine years since the groundbreaking Gallup study
(the foundation for the business bestseller, First, Break All The Rules) that established the
following reality: People may come to work for an organization, but when they leave 173; or when
they stay 173; it's because of their supervisor.
That's right 173; the person who directly manages you probably has more to do with your experience
at work than anyone else. Think about it 173; who decides where you sit and what you do, sets your
goals, gives you feedback (or not), provides formal evaluation, and administers your pay? Your
boss.
A boss who lives in anger generally presides over a culture of fear, while a boss who shows up
grateful every day often leads an organization full of creative risk-takers. The mood of the

manager flows down through a work team, infecting everyone with that same emotional state, be
it fear, anxiety, and suspicion, or trust, gratitude, and ambition.
Do you realize the responsibility that places on you? People will 173; and do 173; notice and respond
to the emotions you carry. If you don't care for the mood of your team, look first to yourself;
consider what you say and do and how you react to situations, and you'll likely find a key source
of the issue.
If you want to impact the workplace culture, then, start with YOU. Happiness rolls downhill.
Remember: Leadership is not about a title. Anyone can be a leader who works to improve
themselves in order to impact others in a more positive way.