When you’re excited about an experience, idea, insight, or result, sharing it with others produces a variety of positive benefits. It doesn’t matter if the excitement is about the potential of a new endeavor or an outcome already in the books. The more often you share your excitement with others, the more you experience a bounty of positive feelings and qualities.
Research confirms that discussing positive experiences with others leads to heightened well-being, more energy, and increased life satisfaction. We are happier when we share with others the things that excite us.
Intuitively, everyone knows this because they have experienced those effects when they have shared their excitement with others in the past. Yet, despite this, many people remain exceedingly reluctant to share what they are excited about, even with those they care about and respect.
The hesitancy to share excitement can spring from several sources. One fear is the possible rejection or criticism of a new idea. No one wants their parade rained on.
Another drawback is the idea that sharing excitement might seem over the top or less professional if the enthusiasm is expressed too boisterously. Of course, there is always a chance those on the receiving end of excitement become jealous or view the excited party as boastful or overly confident. For these and many other reasons, excitement is not expressed and shared as often as it might be, especially in the workplace.
Good leaders recognize the importance of sharing excitement with others and the reluctance of many team members to do so. So, they prime the pump and give people a boost of energy on purpose. They explicitly ask people what they are excited about, what has captured their time and imagination, and what has grabbed their enthusiasm and focus.
Making this a habit and asking these questions frequently allows leaders to push through any reluctance team members have with sharing and provides a safe space where they can benefit from the positive juice excitement creates. They recognize that team members who learn to share in this way come to expect the leader to revel in their enthusiasm and happiness.
So, good leaders always offer a supportive and protective atmosphere where excitement is both celebrated and affirmed. This, in turn, creates a deeper connection for both parties.
The famed writer Virginia Woolf had it right when she wrote, “Pleasure has no relish unless we share it.” Good leaders always add relish to everyone’s excitement. They constantly ask others to share their excitement to the benefit of everyone.
