Positive Emotions: The Soil Where Great Teams Grow

© Adriane Krahe

“You can feel it when you walk into the room.”

That’s how someone once described a truly great team.
Not because of the KPIs.
Not because of the org chart.

But because of the emotional climate.

And this is not just intuition — it’s backed by science.

Let’s explore why positive emotions are not a “soft” leadership topic — they are a core driver of team performance.

The Science: How Positive Emotions Shape Performance

Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build Theory has shown that positive emotions expand our thinking and actions.

When we experience emotions like joy, gratitude, curiosity, or pride, something powerful happens in the brain:

✔ We see more possibilities
✔ We become more creative
✔ We build stronger social connections
✔ We adapt more effectively to change

In other words — positive emotions fuel innovation, collaboration, and resilience.

Business Impact: What Happens in Great Teams

Now apply this to the business world.

Teams with a more positive emotional climate:

✔ Innovate faster — because ideas flow more freely
✔ Navigate uncertainty better — because trust and adaptability are higher
✔ Attract and retain top talent — because the team feels like a place where people can thrive

These are not “nice to have” effects. They are direct contributors to business outcomes:

📈 Faster execution
📈 Better decision-making
📈 Higher engagement
📈 Lower turnover

In short:

Culture drives performance.
And emotions drive culture.

The Leader’s Role: Shaping the Climate

Here’s the key insight for leadership:

You are always influencing the team’s climate — whether intentionally or not.

3 powerful ways leaders can foster positive emotions:

1. Model positivity authentically
   → Show genuine appreciation, curiosity, and empathy.

2. Celebrate progress and learning
   → Don’t wait for perfect outcomes. Recognize effort and growth along the way.

3. Create safe space for real conversation
   → Foster psychological safety — where people can speak up, take risks, and express emotions.

Because people don’t just work in a climate — they grow in it.

Final Reflection

The next time you step into a meeting, ask yourself:

What is the emotional climate in this room?

And even more importantly:

What am I doing as a leader to shape that climate — so my team can grow, perform, and thrive?

Because at the end of the day:

Positive emotions are the soil where great teams grow.

If you’d like support in developing a more positive, high-performing team climate — feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to explore it with you.