How is your energy level lately? If you are like me, with the shortened days and cooler weather, I find it difficult some days to be as productive as I was this summer.  As you know, I am passionate about observing leaders to find out what makes them have followers. One important, but often overlooked characteristic of effective leaders is energy.  They tend to have boundless energy.  

So, how do you get energy, especially during these darkening days of fall and winter?

Great question for this week's newsletter! I hope you are energized by the topic and tips below.

Warmly,

 Diane

 P.S. Let me know how you gain energy as a leader and how it impacts those around you.  Please mail topic ideas to diane@dianeamundson.com  Also, check out previous newsletters by clicking on the link further down in this e-newsletter.

"The best thing a leader can bring to his team is energy"

Andy Stanley

Have you ever noticed a leader who seems to be on the go....all the time?  At times you wonder how they keep going like that popular commercial with the Energizing bunny.  I believe that part of the reason they are a good leader and therefore have followers is because of this boundless energy. 

 The official definition of energy is the exertion of vigor or power; the vitality and intensity of expression. Effective leaders know that they are a role model for those who are following them.  If they want their teams to be energetic, passionate and enthusiastic for their work, they, the leader, must model this behavior themselves as it is contagious.

So, can you be an effective leader without energy?  I know there are leaders that have a vision and can communicate it effectively but do not seem to move with purpose and passion.  They are leaders but could be so much more effective with more energy.

 So, how do they get so much energy in their day and how can you as well?

• They have a purpose to get up each morning.  Whether it be a driving goal or vision for their department or finding a way to use their strengths towards that vision, they often bounce out of bed excited to start their day. Now I realize this may not occur 365 days a year but the majority of work days they are ready to get rolling.

• They are enthusiastic or passionate about their ability to use their strengths towards their daily, monthly and yearly goals.  They know how to tap into their strengths and manage around their weaknesses by letting someone else work with those if possible.

• They work out. They are disciplined and find an exercise that will aerobically clear their minds and bring them energy.  Exercise becomes even more critical as we receive less sunlight each day.

• They sleep. Because of their commitment to exercise and their sense of purpose or goals, they find a way to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

• They eat healthy foods.  They watch what types of foods they consume and limit those that make them listless, i.e., carbohydrates, etc.  They understand and believe in the phrase, "You are what you eat." They understand the need for vitamin supplements to help them during the darker days, i.e., vitamin D, etc.

• They think positively. Just as they understand the food/mind connection they also understand that thoughts control your actions.  If they can visualize success with a concrete action plan, they will be on their way to achieving it.

• They fake it until they make it. When they find themselves lacking energy or momentum, they get moving...they just start moving.  They understand that sometimes the action has to lead the thoughts and by moving first the positive thoughts will follow.

Question for You:

 Do you find yourself wanting to lead others but not knowing how to gain the energy necessary for the leadership role?  Are you curious about effective leaders and how they always seem to be on the go?

Answer for You: