Are You an Energetic Leader?

I read this blog post earlier this week and loved it, “Three Tips for Becoming an Energizer” by Rosabeth Moss Kanter for Harvard Business Review.  She emphasizes the importance of this overlooked leadership quality and lists three characteristics of energetic leaders (see the link for more):

1. A relentless focus on the bright side.
2. Redefining negatives as positives.
3. Fast response time. Energizers don’t dawdle.

People with these qualities light up a room and other people are naturally attracted to them.  Think about it, do you want to spend time around someone who is sapping your energy and making you work to pull them up?   Which person are you? 

 How do I Increase My Energy Level?

 Here are some of the things that I focus on (for myself and my clients) to strive toward that high energy leader that Rosabeth Kanter describes in her blog (linked above):

• Sufficient sleep (for me this is 7 hours fairly regularly).  Not too much or so little that you are dragging, know what sufficient is for you.  Also, get up when the alarm goes off; studies have shown that hitting the snooze button will make you more tired in the morning.
• Exercise more days than not (i.e. at least 4 days out of the week), preferably in the morning.  If later, then at least 4 hours before going to bed (research indicates your sleep will be impacted if it is too late).
• Eat complex (high fiber) carbohydrates and lots of fruits and vegetables.  Avoid refined sugar and carbohydrates (those cookies I love).  Moderation is key.  Regulate portions by asking, “Would I feel up to a very brisk walk or jog after this meal?”   If I am so full that the couch is calling my name then clearly I have sapped my energy.  
• Practice being fully present: avoid too much multitasking and sensory overload.   More and more research is showing the power of mindfulness.
• Utilize my strengths in some way in my work or play each day, if possible.  Postive psychology research has found that this has a large impact on engagement (or energy) levels.
• Let go of baggage.  The emotional kind, not Samsonite.  Carrying around anger, resentment, or worry can sap my energy more effectively then any of the other items listed above.

In their book, “The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy Not Time,” Tony Schwartz and Jim Loehr detail out the areas to consider in managing your energy.  They include an assessment of your energy in four areas: Body (they add the importance of breaks in your day to mine above), Emotions, Mind (decreasing interruptions for more focus), and Spirit (work with a sense of meaning).

 Positive Energy for Success with Less Stress

Having a reserve of positive energy has a tremendous impact on your ability to navigate to success with less stress.  Positive energy attracts people for better networks and connections, motivates and inspires people in your organization, and enables you to thrive and overcome any obstacles that may come your way throughout the day.

How do you cultivate positive energy?  Please share in a comment!

photo credits: pedrosimoes7,  dqlassme