Unlocking Discretionary Energy:

Inspiring Teams to Go Above and Beyond

The other day, my daughter got in the car after swim practice, and before I even asked how it went, she said, “Dad, Coach pulled me aside today.” Based on past experiences, I figured she and her friends had been spending too much time talking and not listening, so I asked her why.

She explained that her coach told her he’d noticed a big improvement in her performance and wanted to know what had inspired the change. Naturally, I asked her the same thing.

Without hesitation, she said, “It’s him. He just pushes me to do better.”

That moment hit me. Here was a coach who wasn’t just teaching the strokes or running the drills—he was inspiring effort that went beyond the basics. My daughter didn’t have to push harder, but she wanted to. And it wasn’t about fear or pressure—it was about trust, encouragement, and the way he made her believe in herself.

It got me thinking: Isn’t this exactly what great leaders do? They create an environment where people choose to go above and beyond, not because they’re required to, but because they’re inspired to. In leadership, we call this discretionary energy.

What Is Discretionary Energy?

You're probably familiar with the concept of discretionary spending - that extra money you have after you've covered all the essentials. It's the money you get to spend on the things you want, not necessarily the things you need. Well, the same concept applies to discretionary energy.

Discretionary energy is that extra effort, the spark that transforms “good enough” into extraordinary. It’s the late nights spent fine-tuning a project, the extra care put into solving a customer’s problem, or the creative solutions that no one asked for but everyone needed. It’s entirely voluntary—and it’s priceless.

But here’s the kicker: you can’t force it. Discretionary energy is a choice. It’s what happens when someone feels motivated, valued, and connected to a larger purpose.

As leaders, we have to ask ourselves: What am I doing to inspire my team to give their best?

Why It Matters

The truth is, most people are perfectly capable of going above and beyond, but they’ll only do it if they believe it matters. If the team is clocking in and out without a spark, the problem isn’t them—it’s the environment we’ve created as leaders.

Discretionary energy is the secret ingredient that powers the world’s best teams. It’s not written into job descriptions or tracked in performance metrics, but it’s what separates good companies from truly great ones.

How to Inspire Discretionary Energy

So how do we, as leaders, tap into this well of potential? How do we inspire our people to want to give more? Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Lead with Purpose

People need to know that their work matters. They need to see the bigger picture—the why behind the what. It’s our job as leaders to connect the dots. What problem are we solving? Why does this work matter? When people feel part of something meaningful, they’ll give their all.

2. Recognize and Celebrate Effort

Think about my daughter’s coach. He didn’t just notice her improvement; he told her. That recognition made her feel seen and motivated her to keep going. As leaders, we need to celebrate effort—not just results. A simple “thank you” or acknowledgment can have a profound impact.

3. Trust and Empower Your Team

Micromanagement is the enemy of discretionary energy. People give their best when they feel trusted to take ownership of their work. Set clear expectations, then let them figure out the best way to meet them. Autonomy breeds creativity and motivation.

4. Model the Behavior

Your team watches you more than you realize. If you’re engaged, passionate, and willing to go the extra mile, they’ll follow suit. Leadership isn’t about telling—it’s about showing. Be the example of the energy and effort you want to see in your team.

5. Connect Effort to Impact

People need to see how their work makes a difference. Show them the results of their effort—how it helped a customer, solved a problem, or moved the company closer to its goals. When people see the impact of their contributions, they’ll be more motivated to keep giving.

A Final Thought

I keep coming back to what my daughter said: “He just pushes me to do better.” That’s what we’re here to do as leaders - create an environment where people feel challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

Discretionary energy is the most valuable resource in any organization, and it starts with us. So, what kind of leader are you? Are you inspiring your team to give their best, or are they just doing what’s required?

Think about it. Because when you unlock discretionary energy, you don’t just build a stronger team—you create something extraordinary.