What’s your energy like? What is the energy like for your team? What type of energy do you bring with you? Are you an energy vampire? What type of feeling do you leave behind after you interact with colleagues? Is it a great one?
When I say energy, I mean the pulse, the vibe or the buzz. Energy is a funny thing in many ways. It’s not easily quantifiable but we all know when it is not there. We can’t always see it but we can always feel it. Every personal interaction has it; every group of people has it. Every event, conference or meeting has it. Austin Powers had plenty of it, he called it his Mojo and was spent a whole movie looking for it. Energy is everywhere.
I visit many workplaces and the one thing that always jumps out is the energy in the office. Sometimes it’s really sad and other times it’s buzzing. We have a media client whose offices are alive and full of colour, vibrancy and energy. You can feel the energy. It’s a nice place to visit.
A great vibe is a positive thing. It makes everyone feel good. It’s infectious, It’s motivating, empowering and makes people smile. People enjoy coming to work.
So what can you do personally and with your team when you find the energy is going south?
- Move: The moment you move, your energy changes. If you find yourself with a bad vibe, move! Get a coffee, get some air, exercise but make sure you move!
- Add some colour. There is a whole industry around colour science and mood but some colour in the office goes a long way. Decorate, have some fun.
- Breathe deeply – connected to exercise but some slow deep breaths will help to centre you and help with a feeling of calmness. As I say with a very young family of three kids: “Breathe in for peace and out for strength!”
- Freshness: Do something new and interesting as often as possible both personally and with your team, in and out of the workplace. Run competitions, get involved with charities, have a lunch together once a week or so.
- Change your perspective. I am not sure of the origin of the quote, but I like: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”. Be a glass-half-full person.
- Have some fun and lighten up.
Remember both good and bad energy is infectious. Check in with your energy, your team’s energy and your personal state often. Ensure the energy wake you leave behind is a good one!
Simon Banks is director of creative training agency Visual Funk
