While I was Worshipful Master of the Lodge, I could sense that the Master often does set the tone of the meeting, but he's not the only one. Often
Lodges has a character that can change the atmosphere, even the candidate can do this.
Group Psychology.. if you have one person who angry, pissed off, yelling at people obviously that going to make everyone nervous and tense. If
someone say the WM is conducting the ceremony rigidly, and you know he accepts NO mistakes, everyone will appear solemn and quiet, thinking about
their part and no messing around. If you have a WM or someone that is joking, making light of things, everyone is more relaxed, easy going.