How to Energize your Team Regardless of your Personality
By: Tim Janes
Do you believe a leader’s energy affects the way their team performs?
Should we pay close attention to our mood, and how it influences those around us?
My answer to both questions is a resounding: YES! Let me tell you why.
The Milestone
About two weeks ago, my organization hit an awesome milestone for one of our customer solutions. As the original project manager, I wanted to celebrate the milestone with the whole organization - we all worked to drive this solution together. To start the planning process, I met with the marketing team to discuss how we would make the big announcement.
I showed up to the meeting in our boardroom a little early to set up - I pulled up my short PowerPoint, connected my phone to the bluetooth speakers, and thought about the environment that I wanted to create for this meeting. Most of those attending knew the general idea of the meeting, but did not know the details, so I wanted to make it a big reveal for them. As I set up, I kept thinking about the excitement that I wanted to portray. Being a relatively reserved person, I knew I had to muster all the energy I could.
I surprised myself... and the team!
I greeted the marketing team members as they arrived one by one. Once everyone was settled, I began: “Okay everyone, thanks for coming. Let’s get to it - we have some pretty serious stuff to discuss.” *cue “Get Ready for This” by 2 Unlimited*
I continued (with loud excitement): “WE JUST HIT A HUGE MILESTONE!!!” I followed that with a short, energetic presentation of the details.
For those that don’t know me, this behavior was out of character. As I alluded to before, I’m known for being quiet, laid-back, and whatever the opposite of this was. That said, it caught everyone by surprise - even me!
What followed was an excited, engaged conversation about how to celebrate the milestone, with all attendees enthusiastically participating.
Setting the Temperature
As leaders, we set the temperature in the room. Whether it’s when we walk into the office in the morning, during a one-on-one conversation, at the coffee pot, or in a meeting, our energy, mood, and behavior is absorbed by those around us.
We have a choice to set the temperature. Regardless of our current emotional state, we can be intentional with how we interact with others to create the environment of our choosing. In fact, whether we are intentional about this or not, the fact is that every time a leader walks into a room, the proverbial temperature changes. So, if you’re not thoughtful about this, you’re leaving the atmosphere entirely up to whatever mood you walk in with.
So, do we have to walk in the door every single morning with a huge smile, high five everybody, and tell everyone how excited we are to be at work? Of course not. Not every day is fun, easy, or exciting. The question is, even on difficult days, how are we reacting? Are we throwing our arms up in the air and yelling at people? Or are we encouraging the team to gather information and come together to overcome obstacles?
Authenticity is important - people can tell when we’re being fake. Coupling our authenticity with our actions and words is how we create an atmosphere of safety, satisfaction, and growth. Even on our bad days, we have to be aware of the impact that our actions have on those around us.
It’s important to consider an epidemic of the modern workplace here: burnout. Too many leaders and too many individual contributors are experiencing this phenomenon. When a leader is burned out, their energy plummets along with their authenticity. In turn, their team often bears the brunt of the leader’s mood and apathy. As we recently heard from Carey Nieuwhof on Episode 72 of the podcast, managing our energy should be at the top of a leader’s priority list.
Lead Thyself
Whether you are the CEO, a team leader, or even if you don’t formally lead anybody at all, you can make this choice. Energy is contagious. Be aware of what you’re feeling, and how you’re reacting. Understand how your actions and words affect the atmosphere of the room. If you find yourself in the middle of a negative group conversation, be the one that makes positive change. If your team is going through a difficult moment, be the one that shows support and creates cohesion.
As a leader, it starts with you. Leadership is a choice. Part of that choice is how you show up for those around you, and the environment that you establish.
Before you walk into the office or log into work tomorrow, ask yourself:
What impact can my attitude and actions have on my team’s success?
What actions will I take to create a safe, welcoming environment for others?
How can I bring my authentic self, and in turn encourage others to do the same?
Do you have any tips for managing your energy? Have you intentionally created an environment of safety and growth for your team? If so, please tell us about your experience by leaving a comment on this post or on social media. Other leaders could benefit from hearing what you have to say!
Tim is a young professional whose life mission is to create supportive communities, so that others may thrive. He is the Process Manager for an HVAC distributor, where he has worked since he graduated from The University of Scranton in 2015.
With a bachelors in Operations Management and a minor in Philosophy, Tim spends his time critically thinking about optimizing people and processes. He strongly believes that each person has the power within them to positively affect the world, and that the role of a leader is to help their people harness that power.
Tim subscribes to the ideals of Servant Leadership, more specifically in connection with Jesuit/Ignatian ideals of care for the whole person, service of others, and striving for the "more." Tim lives in New Jersey with his wife, and he has a passion for soccer, photography, and personal development.