Is your Team struggling to shake off the back-to-work blues? Here’s how to reignite energy!

The holidays are over. The inbox is full. The team feels… flat. Sound familiar?

Getting back into the swing of work after summer can be tough. Energy is low, motivation is shaky, and focus is scattered. But as a leader, you help set the tone—your energy, enthusiasm, and approach can directly influence your team’s mood and engagement.

Research suggests that emotions spread like wildfire in teams through the Emotional Contagion effect. A leader’s mood has a measurable impact on employee motivation, creativity, and collaboration. If you bring along some energy and positivity to work, your team will tend to mirror it.

So, how can you shake off the sluggishness and inject momentum into your work days? Here are three powerful strategies:

Kickstart Momentum with Wins – Start every meeting with a “win of the day.” Recognising even small achievements rewires the brain toward progress, builds confidence, and sparks motivation.

Reconnect Through People, Not Just Tasks – Encourage casual conversations, coffee catch-ups, or a team lunch. Stronger social bonds fuel engagement and morale, helping people ease back into the rhythm of work and find their place in work social circles again.

Empower with Purpose & Autonomy – Give your team ownership by allowing input on priorities or problem-solving approaches. I strongly believe that people can do WAY MORE than we give them credit for...so take off the training wheels and let them have more choice and freedom in how they execute tasks - they could discover better results than you could have ever been imagined! Autonomy fosters motivation, engagement, and resilience—all key to workplace wellbeing.

Bonus Tip: Take It Outside!

Why stay stuck indoors when the summer weather is still amazing? Start a new walking meeting tradition or hold team huddles outside. This small shift has big benefits:

Walking meetings boost creativity, energy, and engagement. Research shows that walking enhances cognitive function, improves focus, and increases motivation and productivity. It's also a great boost for wellbeing - just be sure to warn your team so they can wear sneakers. Make sure you fit your pace to suit their stride - don't have them trotting to keep up, too breathless to speak!

Fresh air meetings enhance we1llbeing and reduce stress. Studies suggest that time outdoors leads to lower cortisol levels, increased positive emotions, and better mental clarity. Your team will return to their desks more refreshed and ready to tackle challenges.

The first few weeks back set the tone for the entire year. Show up with energy, create momentum, and lead by example. Your team will follow your lead.

References

Barsade, S. G. (2002). The ripple effect: Emotional contagion and its influence on group behavior. Administrative Science Quarterly, 47(4), 644-675.

Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J. T., & Rapson, R. L. (1993). Emotional Contagion. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(3), 96-100.

Oppezzo, M., & Schwartz, D. L. (2014). Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 40(4), 1142–1152.

Kuo, M. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1093.

#Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #TeamEnergy #EmployeeWellbeing #EmotionalContagion #WalkingMeetings #FreshAirLeadership