What do the Energizer Bunny and leadership have in common? The Energizer Bunny has become a cultural icon and symbol for longevity, perseverance and determination. One would hope that an executive leader would strive for the same attributes. In addition, being an effective leader requires energy, the ability to energize others to "keep going and going and going."
Aside from the pop culture comparison, a much deeper and richer analogy can be made.
According to quantum physics, thoughts are energy. We've all heard the expressions, "what we focus on is what we get" or "birds of a feather flock together" or "likes attract likes." Science says the same holds true for our thoughts. Positive thoughts bring positive results. In addition, our thoughts reflect a vibrational energy, which is emitted whether we know it or not.
In fact, researchers say that 60 percent of what a person remembers is based on the vibrational energy perceived. Of the remaining 40 percent that a person remembers of a communication exchange, 5 percent is based on the actual words spoken and 35 percent is based on body language and tone of voice. (Translated to an everyday occurrence, this phenomenon would sound something like this: "I don't remember what we talked about, but I really like her." Or conversely, "I can't pinpoint it, but he gives me the creeps.") We've all had those experiences, and effective communicators know how to capture and communicate positive vibrational energy to gain the support and commitment of people.
With this in mind, consider the term "Executive Energy." Upon hearing this term, my curiosity was piqued, and I probed for more information. Executive Energy was described this way: "The executive assumes the role as the energizer for the enterprise and is responsible for the total success of the organization. He infuses the enterprise with focus and energy that leads to decisions that result in effective outcomes."
I was fascinated by this concept. Think about it. If an executive infuses focus and energy that result in decisions that impact effective outcomes, then that could eliminate hidden agendas, unproductive meetings, internal turf wars, one-upmanship and corporate mischief.
Add to the mix that real results are only achieved when thoughts, words and actions are aligned, clear and consistent-in that order.
Then it follows that if an executive focuses thoughts and energy in the direction of profitability, integrity and service, for example, and his words are clear and consistent and aligned with those concepts, then the right actions are taken. Direct reports are focused in the same direction and are in lockstep with the leader, who is continually infusing energy and focus and taking responsibility for the success of the enterprises' decisions and results produced.
This is masterful. This is executive leadership.
Unfortunately, we see and experience many examples of loss of focus, which leads to organizational chaos and confusion. Then people wonder why they aren't achieving the results they want.
Lip service is not enough; leaders must emit a genuine positive energy. Consider this example:
I knew a president of an organization who often spoke of the company's core values of respect, caring and leadership. Yet this same executive told me how he preferred his old office on the first floor over his current office on the 8th floor because he had to ride the elevator with employees. He rarely ate in the company cafeteria and forced himself to attend company-sponsored functions for employees.
His energy and focus was in avoiding employees, the very people who performed the work, made decisions and represented the company to customer, suppliers and vendors. His thoughts, words and actions were not consistent with the core values of "respect, caring and leadership."
Not surprisingly, this company experienced high turnover of talented professional-level employees and the board eventually replaced about 90 percent of the executives, including the president.
So here's the coaching for the month: Remember, there is a direct correlation between your thoughts, words and actions and the results you and your organization attain.
Are your thoughts, words and actions clear, consistent and genuine?
Where are you placing your focus and energy? Are your energy and focus consistent with the mission, vision and goals of the organization?
Time is money. How much time and energy do you spend focused on non-productive work or issues that are inconsistent with your mission, vision or goals?
How would your team respond to these questions?
Marty Stanley is a certified business and life coach. She works with business leaders and their teams to put the structures in place to increase personal, professional and organizational effectiveness and get results. You can reach her at (816) 822-4047 or .
