Energy in Leadership

My friend and colleague, Marcia Reynolds, has written about the role of persistence in life and work, in her article "A Healthy Supply of Energy is Needed for Success." How do we know when to hang in there and keep trying? How do we know when to scrap a strategy and to head off in a new direction? She suggests that we conduct an "Energy Allocation Exercise" to chart our course and determine our path. Here's a synopsis of the exercise:

Step 1. Divide a sheet of paper in half. Label the left side "Can’t Control" and the right, "Can Control." Now think about the specific goal you’re struggling to achieve.

Step 2. Under "Can’t Control," list the aspects of the situation that you’re unable to change. Be honest with yourself. If the person’s mind you are trying to alter or the people guarding the policy you’re trying to revise haven’t budged in months, it’s safe to say you’re wasting your time.

Step 3. In the "Can Control" column, list the aspects that are within your power to affect. Include yourself--your willingness to deal with the situation, your mindset and attitude, and the emotions that you need to feel so you can shift out of complaining and into action. Include everything within your "response-ability."

Step 4. Return to column one, your "Can’t Control" list. How much energy do you put into these items, including complaining or worrying about them? These are your dead horses. You need to quit putting energy into what you can't control. You can kick your dead horses all you want, but they won’t budge. It may take time to bury a dead horse, but you’ll feel better when it’s over. As hard as that may be, heed the wisdom of George Bernard Shaw who said, "Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

Step 5. Review the right column, your "Can Control" list. Which of these items are you working on now? Are there any you can commit to doing or beginning today? Place a check mark next to each item you will activate immediately. This is where you should expend your energy. Few excuses justify inaction in this column. If you feel trapped or helpless, direct your energy to where you can take charge.

The Energy Allocation Exercise is another way to get at the distinction between needs and strategies. Confusing the two always gets us into trouble. If our energy is dwindling or in short supply, then chances are we have gotten hooked on a strategy. When that happens, sorting through our priorities and possibilities can set us on the right path, all over again.

Coaching Inquiries: What is happening with your energy right now? Is it waxing or waning? What things give you energy? How could you do those things more consistently and joyfully? Who could support you in the process?

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