Member-only story
Moods are Infectious — Leaders Play a Big Role in Creating Them
Using emotional contagion to get the right kind of momentum
The sun was shining, Santigold was playing and a grassy field stood empty when Colin Wynter decided to start dancing. By himself. Not just a side to side sway. No, this was a dance of abandon. Flapping about in a decidedly awkward manner. He danced uninhibited, flapping about in a decidedly awkward manner. Finally someone else joined. They danced awkwardly while others sat on the ground looking on. Then a third guy joined the revelry. That was the tipping point. The energy was infectious. Within a few moments a small crowd formed. Soon it grew into a throng, people joining from all directions. One guy even ran in, leaping over others like he was on a mission to join a movement. By the end of the video, a large crowd gathered caught up in the the contagious energy. Everyone on that sunny knoll wanted to be a part of what was happening. All because one guy started dancing. You can see it action here.
This infectious environment started with the first person willing to take a risk, his awkward flapping creating the first ember. The second was the spark while the third guy was the ignition. (This longer video from a different angle shows a few false starts. Only at minute five that the spark turns into a flame.)
