The Energy of Leadership: What We Bring to the Room

At the 2024 Sadhguru Academy INSIGHT program, one theme echoed through every conversation, every story shared by leaders, and every quiet moment of reflection: the energy we bring defines the impact we make. Leadership isn’t just about the strategies we devise, the decisions we execute, or even the vision we set. It’s about the presence we bring into a room - the intangible but powerful energy that shapes not only outcomes but also the experience of those around us.

This is the heartbeat of leadership: an awareness that who we are matters as much as what we do. At its best, leadership becomes a dynamic exchange of energy - one that inspires, unites, and transforms. It’s a lesson I’ve carried forward, both from INSIGHT and from years of seeing how the energy we carry has the power to create environments where people thrive, or to unknowingly stifle the very potential we aim to unlock.

The Invisible Force of Leadership

Energy is contagious. Have you ever walked into a room and felt the mood shift because of one person’s presence? Perhaps it brightened with optimism or grew heavy with tension. As leaders, our energy is not neutral - it is always in motion, affecting the environment and the people within it.

A leader grounded in calm confidence can steady a stormy room. A leader radiating enthusiasm can spark creativity in a hesitant team. Conversely, a leader carrying frustration or doubt can spread unease like wildfire. The energy we carry doesn’t just ripple outward - it amplifies.

My executive coach, Karen Thrall , once shared something that has stuck with me: “The energy a leader brings into a meeting, whether it’s with a group or one-on-one, can completely shift the nature of that interaction.” She emphasized that as leaders, we must be deeply conscious of the energy we bring, as it has the power to inspire and unify - or to unsettle and divide.

I’ve seen this firsthand at Charitable Impact . In moments when I’ve entered a meeting distracted or frustrated, the team picks up on it, and the mood of the room shifts accordingly. Conversely, when I’ve taken a moment to centre myself and bring clarity and optimism, the discussions are more productive, collaborative, and focused.

The Science and Awareness of Energy

Psychologists like Dr. Robert Cialdini have shown that our actions and behaviours - intentional or not - create social environments that influence others’ thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Similarly, Patrick Lencioni ’s Working Genius framework offers a lens to understand what energizes us and what drains us. This awareness isn’t just about productivity - it’s about harnessing the energy that sustains and inspires us.

According to Working Genius, every person has specific “geniuses” that give them energy and drive. These aren’t simply the things we’re skilled at but the activities that light us up. For example:

• Some are energized by wonder - asking deep, reflective questions and identifying gaps or possibilities that spark new ideas.
• Others thrive in ideation - dreaming up creative possibilities and solutions.
• Some are driven by discernment - evaluating ideas critically and making thoughtful, well-considered decisions.
• Others are energized by galvanizing - rallying people, inspiring action, and mobilizing momentum.
• Some thrive in enablement - providing support, encouragement, and resources to bring ideas to life.
• And for others, it’s all about tenacity - ensuring projects are seen through to completion with persistence and focus.

When leaders work within their genius zones, their energy is naturally elevated, and it radiates outward. But when they’re forced to operate in areas of frustration, their energy diminishes, and their teams feel it. You can read more here for more information on The Six Types of Working Genius.

Energy as a Driver of Culture

At Charitable Impact, one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, we’ve built a team rooted in purpose, collaboration, and generosity. These values are deeply tied to the energy we cultivate as leaders. Whether it’s a one-on-one with a team member navigating challenges or a brainstorming session on how to make charitable giving more accessible, the energy we bring sets the tone for how others show up.

For example, during a strategy session about improving donor experiences, I consciously framed the discussion around opportunity and innovation rather than constraints. This subtle shift in energy transformed the conversation, enabling the team to approach challenges with creativity and enthusiasm. It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about creating an environment where solutions emerge naturally.

The Energy We Bring: Conscious Leadership in Action

The energy we bring isn’t just a matter of personality - it’s a choice. Conscious leadership, as Sadhguru JV often emphasizes, begins with awareness. Are we walking into meetings carrying the weight of personal frustration, or are we bringing clarity and focus? Are we letting our exhaustion dictate our tone, or are we taking steps to replenish ourselves before engaging with others?

Sadhguru teaches that our inner state determines how we experience the outer world. If our inner state is chaotic, it will inevitably spill into the spaces we lead. Cultivating energy that is calm, clear, and purposeful isn’t just beneficial - it’s essential.

This awareness can transform our leadership:

• Before a critical conversation, pause and ground yourself. How do you want your energy to influence the discussion?
• When stepping into a high-stakes meeting, ask yourself: What energy do I want to bring? How do I want to influence the room?
• Reflect on what truly gives you energy in your work. Are you leaning into those areas, or are you drained by tasks outside your genius?
• Notice how your energy shifts the dynamics of a room. Are you creating an environment where others feel empowered, or are you unintentionally fostering anxiety or hesitation?

Recharging and Realigning Energy

It’s unrealistic to expect constant positivity - leaders face challenges that demand emotional resilience. But managing energy is about intentionality and also means knowing when to pause and recharge. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and self-reflection help leaders centre themselves, ensuring their energy is constructive rather than reactive. They help me realign with my purpose and ensure that the energy I bring is constructive and aligned with the outcomes I want to create.

As Sadhguru says, “Your ability to transform the world around you is determined by the clarity and intensity of your energy.” When leaders focus on elevating their inner energy, it creates a ripple effect - one that inspires teams to step into their own strengths and contributions.

Leadership as an Energy Exchange

Great leadership isn’t about commanding authority - it’s about channeling energy. When we understand what energizes us, consciously manage the energy we bring, and stay attuned to its impact, we can create cultures that thrive. Whether at Charitable Impact, during the INSIGHT program, or in everyday interactions, I’ve seen how energy shapes not just moments but entire organizations.

As Karen Thrall beautifully reminds me, “Leadership is about showing up intentionally, because the energy you bring will always ripple further than you think.”

The next time you step into a room, pause and ask yourself: What energy am I bringing, and how is it shaping the space around me? Because leadership isn’t just about what we do - it’s about who we are and the energy we choose to carry.

John Bromley Rob Banks Damanpreet Singh Avinash Durge Olga Glukhovska Jeret Unger Clif Bromley Paige Tibbles Kevin Moorhead Jugroop Tontti Dean Dong Nora C. Avinash Viswambharan Shivakumar Srinivasareddy Eugene Wong, CPA, CMA Jamie Au-yeung Luisa Velez Rob Bancroft Deepta Rangarajan Ram Venkateswaran Madhur Khaitan Hema Annamalai Shalini Kamath Nagesh B S Ashutosh Pandey Amit Kalra Ajay Kaul Saurabh Jain Ravi Kirpalani Sridhar Dharmarajan (DS) Subbu Swaminathan Vir Amar Dasmahpatra Ashok Bakthavathsalam Maa Susarpini Ashley Martis Doug Stickland, CPA, CA Conscious Planet

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