Are you finding that you move from one crisis to another? Are you racing through the day to somehow juggle it all? The digital age and all the change around us forces reactionary behavior. I can see that in my colleagues and it concerns me. Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz in the "Power of Full Engagement," say that we have far more control over our energy than we realize. They acknowledge that there is a fixed number of hours in the day but the quantity and quality of energy available is not.
The authors state that " Energy is our most precious resource. The more we take responsibility for the energy we bring to the world, the more empowered and productive we become. The more we blame others or external circumstances, the more negative and compromised our energy is likely to be."
I have noticed this challenge with attention, energy and engagement more and more with senior leaders. I know that having been out of the corporate world personally, for over 15 years makes me less credible to say this, but I observe this in that many are less present than ever before. It is really sad - they are missing a lot. To be fully present the authors say, we must be “physically energized, emotionally connected, and mentally focused" beyond the immediate. And what about renewal and re-energizing ourselves?
The energy you bring to yourself, your new employees and your current team matters. The employment picture is improving each day - the best talent expects leaders who are present. They want feedback, learning opportunities and ways to engage. We all want that. The younger employees who are starting out their careers understand energy and revitalizing value. Let's learn from them. So, think about how you can start managing energy, not time.
Comments