How to recognize a leader with positive energy

Dr. Emma Seppälä, Director of the Women in Leadership program at the Yale School of Management; and Dr. Kim Cameron, Management and Organization Specialist at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, conducted research by interviewing thousands of business leaders and employees.

As a result, they found certain relationships in networks to be exceptionally life-enhancing and uplifting. Accordingly, there is usually one person at the center of the network, motivating the rest to move forward. Two experts call it “positive energy transmitters”.

Why do you need someone who transmits positive energy?

These people are characterized by uplifting others through a value-based leadership style that encourages both themselves and the company. They demonstrate and cultivate acts of kindness, including altruism, compassion, humility, kindness, trustworthiness, integrity, honesty, generosity, gratitude, and corporate recognition. . As a result, everyone gets promoted.

The pandemic has taken a significant toll on the happiness and energy of so many people. Leaders who spread positive energy are more important than anything. However, it is important to realize that positive energy is not on the surface, like trying to think of something fun or turning a blind eye to the real stress and pressure that employees are going through.

You have met people like the sun. They walk into a room and make it light up. Everyone in it became energized, excited, inspired, and connected. These shiners are transmitters of positive energy. Conversely, those who make people feel demoralized, down, and tired can be called “energy drainers”.

Many studies show that people who channel positive energy generate significantly higher engagement levels. The number of employees leaving is lower, and the team is happier. Many people may not notice that, unlike physical activity like running a marathon, the only type of energy that does not decrease but increases when used is positive relationship energy.

For example, we rarely burn out when we’re with people with whom we have a loving, trusting, supportive relationship, because the positive relationship energy is boosted. Leaders with positive energy can create extraordinary power. They can turn a company’s unfavorable situation, solve seemingly deadlock situations, and revive depressed employees.

Signs of a leader with positive energy

To conclude that leaders have positive energy, the research team surveyed employees of hundreds of companies with the basic question: “When I interact with this person, [người X] In the company, what happens to my energy?” As a result, they draw positive energy people who have things in common including:

– I have a much higher achievement than others.

– Positively affects the performance of others, so others tend to thrive in their presence.

– Appears more in companies with high performance than in companies with average performance.

When the leader is the transmitter of positive energy, the company receives many benefits including: the ability to innovate and work in a team; improve financial performance, including productivity and quality; Improve corporate cohesion. At the same time, their employees benefit from the following aspects: job satisfaction; Welfare; cohesion; efficiency; and family relationships.

The reason a boss with positive energy is easy to succeed

In the plant world, there is an effect called “heliotropic”. It is the phenomenon of plants facing towards the light. In nature, light is the source of life; Photosynthesis occurs only in the presence of light. Humans also have the same attraction to the energies needed and supported by life. This form of energy is what you receive and give in your relationships with others.

Decades of research show that positive relationship energy nourishes and enlivens us. For example, research by professor Sarah Pressman at UC Irvine shows that the need for positive social connections is important. To the extent that its lack is more harmful to health than smoking, obesity, or high blood pressure and shortening life expectancy. On the other hand, positive social connection can not only prolong life, but also strengthen the immune system, reduce rates of anxiety and depression.

Within the company, these influences are increased through the leader. That is, the energy of leaders has a huge impact on employees, more than almost any relationship at the company. Take, for example, the case of Ashley Bernardi, Founder and CEO of Nardi Media. Her company’s revenue doubled within two years, from six to seven figures, despite the economic upheaval of the pandemic.

In 2016, Lyme suffered from depression and postpartum depression. The illness made her more compassionate and understanding of others. She recognizes that people go to work with the same challenges they face in their personal lives. When she recovered from her illness, she became a more compassionate leader.

She spends her time creating the company’s core values, setting that example for her clients and team. Bernardi became interested in his own physical and mental health. She regularly meditates, yoga, jogging, cares about sleep.

“When I learned to take care of myself, I saw transformation happen in my life in the most powerful ways. I attracted many like-minded members who were supportive of each other and aligned with values. my core values. Our business thrived,” she said.

How to lead positive energy

Employees need to feel valued, respected and engaged. When they are recognized, supported and encouraged, absenteeism will be low, productivity and profits will be high, and quality and safety will be improved. Positive energy people promote all of this and more.

Because, positive energy can be mutual, creating an abundant source of energy for the entire team. From there, the heliotropic effect expands, attracting more. Many studies on positive leadership demonstrate that leaders who focus on helping others are actually more effective than leaders who focus on personal achievement. The company and its employees are superior.

Can companies thrive with leaders who deplete rather than create? In the short term, of course. However, positive energy has a much longer lasting effect. Over time, employees will develop aversion to a leader who lacks energy and drains them of life. Similar to the heliotropic effect, the staff is usually facing the sun.

Session An (according to Harvard Business Review)