Mood Matters: Team Dynamics, Self-Awareness, and the Power of Positivity

Mood Matters: Team Dynamics, Self-Awareness, and the Power of Positivity

By Todd Demorest, CFO and Expert Facilitator at Odyssey Teams

Unless you’re the hiring manager, chances are you didn’t hand-select the people you work with. And yet, over the course of your career, you’ll spend more than 90,000 hours alongside them - often more time than with your own family. That’s why learning to collaborate, communicate, and coexist isn’t just practical - it’s a strategic move for your career and your company.

We can only hope our organizations have done their due diligence in hiring motivated, values-aligned professionals. But regardless of who’s on the team, what we can control is our energy, our attitude, and our impact. Positive energy breeds more positive energy. And helping others? It feels good. It builds trust. It creates momentum.

It’s All About the Mood

“You can’t do anything good on top of a lousy mood. Well, maybe good—but not great.” — Todd Demorest

Moods are contagious. They ripple through organizations one person at a time - then spread to teams, departments, and entire cultures. Whether you realize it or not, your mood is part of the team’s ecosystem. It either adds to what’s possible or subtracts from it.

Being accountable for your mood means checking in with yourself regularly. Ask:
“Am I stuck in a mood of uncertainty, resignation, overwhelm, or resentment?”
If the answer is yes, don’t panic. There are simple, effective ways to shift your state and reclaim your presence.

Three Simple Ways to Shift Your Mood

Next time you feel your mood dragging down your performance - or your team’s - try one (or all) of these:

1. Move Your Body

Take a few deep breaths. Stretch. Wiggle your toes. Blink your eyes. Go for a walk. Even a few minutes of movement can interrupt a negative mood and reset your nervous system. It’s easy, accessible, and surprisingly powerful.

2. Change Your State

Step outside. Put on music that lifts you. Do something playful or restorative. If anyone questions your choice to take a break, just say, “Todd Demorest told me to.” You’re not avoiding work—you’re optimizing your ability to show up fully.

3. Switch Your Story

Tune into the voice in your head. Is it looping on frustration or fear? Change the channel. Remind yourself of your strengths, your contributions, and what you’re grateful for. This is the hardest tactic—but also the most transformative. With practice, it becomes second nature.

Moods Matter - So Be the Shift

Chances are, someone on your team is stuck in an unproductive mood. Be the one who helps them shift. Your effort won’t just improve their day—it could elevate the entire team’s engagement, creativity, and performance.

About Todd Demorest

Todd Demorest is a seasoned keynote speaker and experiential facilitator at Odyssey Teams. For over two decades, he’s helped companies worldwide navigate the human side of business with clarity, humor, and heart. His philosophy is simple: Even when life is challenging, it holds brilliance worth celebrating. Todd speaks candidly about work, leadership, and the messy beauty of being human—always with the goal of helping teams connect, grow, and thrive.

Bring Todd to Your Team