mindyourbusiness: Creating High-Energy Environments

Imagine rushing to an emergency room with severe stomach cramps. Without any examination, no knowledge of your medical history, or asking any questions about your symptoms, a doctor who has never seen you before says, "I know exactly what's wrong" and prescribes a strong medication. This could be considered malpractice.

The same rings true in looking for ways to mobilize and energize others. There are many interconnected factors that inhibit or enhance energy. We can't really motivate others, but we can create a high-energy environment that dramatically magnifies and expands the energy of individuals, teams or organizations.

Those high-energy environments are the result of these timeless leadership principles:

Responsibility for Choices

People who feel victimized and powerless don't have a lot of energy for change and improvement. Many teams, and sometimes whole organizations, can become badly infected with the Victimitis Virus. This oftentimes involves developing excuses for not taking action since "it's not our fault." Turning this situation around often starts with getting people to see the problem and its paralyzing effects. Next steps may involve clarifying what is outside of our control, within our control and what we can influence.

Authenticity

A young boy came home and told his father the other kids kept stealing his pencils at school. The father stomped off to the school to complain. "It's not a matter of the pencils," he bellowed to his son's teacher. "I get plenty of those from work. It's the principle of the thing that bothers me most." An environment that doesn't ring true with honesty, integrity and trust is an environment that drains energy. My authenticity in changing me to change them is a key element in maintaining that environment. It is supported by openness and constant feedback.

Spirit and Meaning