There’s a word that we often use to describe a team that’s working together and completely in sync. It’s not just a word; it’s a phenomenon that has historically been hard to explain, define, or measure. This also means it’s hard to create or replicate.
The phenomenon I’m talking about is called CHEMISTRY. Chemistry is the word we use to describe extraordinary alignment and synchronization.
Over the past few years, neuroscience has provided us with a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, and it’s not a random, new-age, or mystical idea. It’s rooted in brain science.
Brain wave synchronization—sometimes called neural or inter-brain synchrony—is a phenomenon where the brain activity (measured as electrical oscillations or “brain waves”) of two or more people aligns during social interaction or collaboration. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a measurable effect observed with technologies like EEG and fNIRS, especially when people work closely together, communicate, or even just share intentionality.
When teams are “in sync,” their brains are too. Studies show that during cooperative tasks, group members’ brain waves—particularly in regions tied to attention and social cognition—become synchronized, leading to improved communication, empathy, and mutual understanding. Think of it as the neural equivalent of a jazz band locking into a groove.
Why Is Brain Wave Synchronization Important in the workplace?
- Boosts Team Performance and Creativity
Research has found that teams with higher inter-brain synchrony solve problems faster and perform better collectively. When brain waves align, information flows more smoothly, and creative ideas are more likely to emerge as if the team is sharing a collective “aha!” moment.
- Enhances Mood, Motivation, and Engagement
Synchronized brain activity is linked to positive social emotions and prosocial behaviors. When people’s brains sync up, they’re more likely to trust, help, and empathize with each other. This creates a virtuous cycle: positive mood and engagement fuel synchrony, which in turn deepens team cohesion and motivation.
- Reduces Stress and Promotes Well-being
Low alpha waves are associated with anxiety and stress, while higher-frequency waves, such as beta, are linked to active thinking and problem-solving. Gamma waves are associated with creativity, learning, and memory. When a leader brings calm, focused energy, those brain states can be “caught” by others, helping to regulate stress and boost collective performance. In other words, your mood is contagious—and so are your brain waves.
How does brain wave synchronization happen? There are several ways.
- Shared Tasks: Working together on the same goal naturally aligns attention and brain activity.
- Verbal and Nonverbal Cues: Eye contact, body language, and tone of voice help brains “tune in” to each other.
- Emotional Contagion: Emotions and energy states are mirrored by those around us, a process rooted in mirror neuron systems and social brain networks.
- Physical Proximity: Being physically close enhances synchrony, but even virtual meetings can foster some degree of neural alignment, especially with video or immersive Virtual reality.
Leaders should always keep in mind that their energy is contagious.
Leaders set the tone—literally. Your brain waves, mood, and energy are picked up and emulated by your team. This isn’t esoteric pseudo-science. It’s real. If you’re anxious and scattered, your team feels it. If you’re focused and creative, your team is more likely to follow suit. Neuroscience shows that leadership isn’t just about what you say, but the neural “vibe” you transmit. So here are four practical applications for leaders.
4 Practical Applications for Leaders
Check Your Energy – Check your own mood and energy before interacting with your team. If you’re bringing stress, take a moment to reset—your brain waves are like the “WiFi signal” others connect to.
Facilitate Shared Intentionality – Clearly state shared goals and encourage everyone’s input. State your intention and be transparent with your objectives for meetings and workplans. When everyone is “on the same page,” brains are more likely to synchronize.
Leverage Positive Nonverbal Communication – Make eye contact, smile, and use open body language. These cues help others’ brains sync with yours, boosting trust and engagement.
Provide Opportunities for Co-Creation – Encourage brainstorming sessions, collaborative problem-solving, and creative play. Challenge people to think differently and “free range thinking” – No ideas are stupid and the wilder, the better. These activities are ideal for promoting brain wave alignment and innovative thinking.
Brain wave synchronization isn’t just a cool neuroscience trick—it’s a powerful driver of team performance, engagement, and well-being. When leaders understand and harness this phenomenon, they can create work environments where people genuinely connect, collaborate, and thrive. Next time you walk into a meeting, remember that your brain waves are leading the way. Make them count!
Research Citations:
Cui, X., Bryant, D. M., & Reiss, A. L. (2012). NIRS-based hyperscanning reveals increased interpersonal coherence in the superior frontal cortex during cooperation. NeuroImage, 59(3), 2430–2437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.09.003
Dikker, S., Wan, L., Davidesco, I., Kaggen, L., Oostrik, M., McClintock, J., … & Poeppel, D. (2017). Brain-to-brain synchrony tracks real-world dynamic group interactions in the classroom. Current Biology, 27(9), 1375–1380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.002
Xue, H., Lu, K., Hao, N., & Liu, J. (2018). Brain-to-brain synchronization across two persons predicts mutual prosocial inclination. Scientific Reports, 8, 17412. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-35898-8
Stevens, F. L., Hurley, R. A., & Taber, K. H. (2011). Interpersonal neural synchronization as a mechanism for social interaction: A review of the literature and future directions. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 23(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1176/jnp.23.1.jnp1
Mu, Y., Guo, C., & Han, S. (2016). Oxytocin enhances inter-brain synchrony during social coordination in male adults. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(12), 1882–1893. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsw106
Pan, Y., Novembre, G., Song, B., Li, X., & Hu, Y. (2018). Interpersonal synchronization of inferior frontal cortices tracks social interactive learning of a song. NeuroImage, 183, 280–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.021
Lu, K., Xue, H., Nozawa, T., & Hao, N. (2019). Cooperation makes a group be more creative. Cerebral Cortex, 29(8), 3457–3470. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhy217
Stevens, S. & Galloway, T. (2022). The neuroscience of teams: Understanding inter-brain synchrony. Neuroscience of Teams [Substack]. https://caragallagher.substack.com/p/the-neuroscience-of-teams-understanding
Reindl, V., Gerloff, C., Scharke, W., & Konrad, K. (2018). Brain-to-brain synchrony in parent-child dyads and the relationship with emotion regulation revealed by fNIRS-based hyperscanning. NeuroImage, 178, 493–502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.05.060
Sadato, N. (2017). Neural mechanisms of inter-brain synchronization during social interaction. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 3, 170–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.02.013
