How do you resonate? The importance of energy in leadership.
In today’s professional world, the relationship between energy and success is clear: Energy can drive leaders to succeed, and thus drive entire teams and companies to succeed too.
But when I say energy, I’m not talking about endurance or levels of activity. It’s not the amount of energy that matters — it’s the kind of energy. Let’s dive into the difference between high and low energy, explore the impact energy has on performance, and list ways leaders can level up.
High vs low: How energy is defined
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
All leaders bring a particular kind of energy to work with them, and it sets the tone for their company’s culture. There are seven levels of energy — the five above the line are positive (or Anabolic) energy, and the two below the line are negative (or Catabolic). The two forms of energy can also be defined like this: Anabolic is a building energy and Catabolic is a destroying energy.
This video is a favorite of mine, and I’ve shared it before. It gives a great overview of high vs low energy.
What different energy levels feel like
When positive energy is achieved, here’s what the atmosphere looks and feels like:
Leaders seek and welcome input
Employees feel valued and heard
Teams are solution-focused and supportive
Negative energy, on the other hand, creates a toxic culture where:
Leaders create conflict and pass blame
Employees feel scapegoated, anxious and stifled
Needless to say, Anabolic energy is the goal. It has the power to enhance your company’s performance and culture at all levels.
The connection between energy and…
1. Productivity
As I wrote in June, people are programmed to be Catabolic, and that’s not always bad. Catabolic energy is a survival resource that’s needed from time to time, like adrenaline. That means it lets you get a few things done quickly, but you can’t run your whole day on it, let alone a whole fiscal quarter. Over time, you’ll burn out and the atmosphere will push away your employees.
Higher levels of energy are more productive over the long term. It’s not frantic, emergency energy. It’s more steady and sustainable, and it calms and depressurizes even the busiest companies.
2. Influence
Leaders who achieve higher levels of energy are simply more collaborative, cooperative, engaging and focused. They aren’t as judgmental or apathetic. They complain less. They’re less afraid of being wrong.
That’s to say that high-energy leaders are the kind employees want to follow. High energy inspires teams to perform, attracts new clients and employees, compels clients to take your advice and guidance, and builds credibility and trust. It makes a leader more influential.
How great leaders are able to access high energy
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash
1. Actively listening to their teams
When it comes to earning your team’s or company’s full buy-in, intuitive listening is a necessary skill and effective leaders commit to it. So create forums and set aside times to accept everyone’s input. Ask big questions and establish safe space for your employees at all levels to share their ideas and feelings.
2. Empowering each employee
High level leaders are able to empower their employees to feel confident, take chances and know their worth. So when you have the chance, sit with your employees and say “take me through your process” — and help them think through how they reached their answers, as well as spot things they can improve next time.
3. Being aware of their energy
A valuable part of leadership coaching is helping leaders identify their starting point — their place on the energy scale — and customizing a plan to build Anabolic energy. That’s the approach I take with everyone I coach.
Ready to enhance your energy as a leader and build a culture of success? Leadership coaching is where it begins.