Legacy of Leadership: Leadership and Energy

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed: it can only be converted from one form to another"

First Law of Thermodynamics

When you awoke this morning, what kind of energy did you have? Did you feel tired or exhausted? Did you dread getting the kids ready, going to work, to school, completing that project, or preparing to attend another boring meeting or training session?

Maybe the opposite is true. When you awoke this morning, you were full of energy, anticipation, and excitement of what the day might bring. You couldn't wait to get your day started.

"Day's beginning starts from morning. It should be majestic, peaceful, and full of energy" -

Greeta Sharma HM KV Khandwa

Maybe, you are not a morning person, and it takes real work, several cups of coffee or other stimulant to get you functioning like a normal human being. Then there's that friend, coworker, colleague, or boss that never seems to be short of energy and good feelings.

Consequently, one of four things might happen. You resent their positive "energy vibes", but don't let them know that; you pretend to be just as energetic or excited until they are out of sight; you avoid them altogether, or you take on or internalize their energy and good feeling attitude which in turn you consciously or unconsciously pass on to the next person you communicate or come in contact with.

Energy

Through the course of our lives, we are often faced with the challenge of motivating ourselves or others to compete, to increase success, to perform, or to produce. How this takes place can often be attributed to the kind of "energy" one develops within as well as displays and transfers outside of one's self.

Think of leaders or authority figures you have worked for. What kind of energy did they bring or present to you and others. Was it a positive energy or negative energy? Did their energy affect your performance or production? What type of energy did you transfer because of them or in spite of them?

As I continue my "Legacy of Leadership" series, I wanted to discuss how true leaders develop internal energy mindsets and philosophies then use them to positively impact and shape the energy levels of those around them as well as those they are responsible to lead.

Think of the most successful businesses, teams, or organizations and how they continue to remain successful. Now, think of businesses, teams, or organizations who struggle to achieve any type of success. One can list several factors that separate the successful organizations or businesses from those that are not successful.

I would argue that one of the most important reasons and separators is the amount of continuous "positive energy" that is transferred from the "Penthouse to the parking lot and from the parking lot to the penthouse." What do I mean by this?

Simply put, the person or persons that lead an organization or business (The Penthouse) are no more important than the employees or staff (The Parking Lot) that make the company or organization go. Both parties must eat, breathe, live, and represent the ideals and mission of the business or organization to the highest and most positive degree.

Does this mean that everyone must agree and like everything each does? No.

Most successful organizations are often driven by contentious discussions and actions that are ultimately settled by compromise and innovation for the good of the organization. The pivotal aspect of this process is for leadership, staff, and employees to recognize and respect the concerns and voice of each other by validating and embracing the energy of all.

Legacy of Leadership

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another,"-

True leaders or leadership teams must understand the relevance and connection of the First Law of Energy Conservation has to their ability to positively or negatively influence others. A true leader's positive energy must be a catalyst not only unique to the leader but also easily replicated or transferred in a positive fashion by or to others.

Conversely, leaders that embrace negativity and spread negative energy to all who cross their paths, incubate this negativity in the minds of those that follow them. These individuals then internalize this negative energy.

Thus, the creation of a psychologically and physically unsafe and harmful atmosphere or environment that becomes the norm. One needs only to review the actions and events of the January 6th, 2021, attack on the Capitol Building to see my point.

True legacy leaders must be able to pass down their leadership energy in the form of a passion and motivation that is positive, genuine, honest, and born of a knowledge and experience that teaches all how to effectively relate and embrace others that are different or have different belief systems and values.

When trying to evaluate the effectiveness of a true leader or leadership team one must examine what kind of "leadership energy " permeated the culture or environment that leader or leadership team was responsible for as well as what elements to their legacy of leading will stand as proof of their success.

A mindset and philosophy of positive leadership energy does not happen overnight or through a series of leadership development sessions. One's consistent actions and character over time buoyed by experience and a passion to help others succeed are the foundations of where "leadership energy" is given birth, developed and demonstrated.

Previous Legacy of Leadership Articles:

Curating a Leadership Legacy- Begin with the End in Mind- https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/curating-leadership-legacy-begin-end-mind-tony-gabriel-be5nc/?trackingId=zyIGLICkT5ea43XIHsmOFg%3D%3D

Legacy of Leadership- "Intelligence and Intellect"- https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/legacy-leadership-intelligence-intellect-tony-gabriel-4q6dc/?trackingId=wjKRB8N8RqGq0TcWsTEGew%3D%3D

Legacy of Leadership-Leadership and The Inconvenient Truth-https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/legacy-leadership-inconvenient-truth-tony-gabriel-kwk3c/?trackingId=1U4OYepOTqKR2y7r6Quo3w%3D%3D

Legacy of Leadership- Leadership and Faith-https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/legacy-leadership-faith-tony-gabriel-ugzac/?trackingId=fyuju4%2B9S5qDsPKLU9qZ5Q%3D%3D

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