The leader is the major human focal point within the team and in the organization.  All eyes and ears are on the lookout for the leader.  People generally pay greater attention to what the leader says and does – more so than they do with their peers or direct reports.  Perhaps rightly so – as the behavior of the leader has a significant impact on the lives of the people within an organization. 

If a leader is optimistic and positive, others in the organization will also be positive. Positivity increases the ability of an organization to be adaptive and flexible, creative and innovative.  If the leader is negative it will spread fear and negativity throughout the organization.  A little negativity on the part of the leader can have huge repercussions within the organization.  A leader may make what they think to be a causal remark.  It may have a touch of disappointment or frustration.  Yet the people who hear it will tend to blow the remark of the leader way out of proportion and beyond the context originally intended by the leader.  Humans are generally wired for negativity.  It is a human survival reflex.  It has been scientifically proven, repeatedly, that people who work in positive work environments outperform people who work in negative work environments. 

Charles

The leader sets and is largely responsible for the emotional tone of the team and the organization.  Leaders are also human beings with emotions, fears, frustrations, and worries.  Many times people within the organization forget about the humanness of the leaders.  When the leader is present in view or within earshot of anyone on the team or in the organization, the leader is always on stage.  This would include anyone peripheral to the team (i.e., someone who is not on the team or in the organization but has the ability and proximity to communicate with someone on the team or organization.  Leaders would be wise to remember that there is never anything off the record.

Charles