I am not a coffee drinker.
I have tried to like it in as many ways as possible since I was just a young sprite. Cream. Sugar. Flavors. Ice Cream. I really want to like it but I doubt that you will ever actually see me having a cup.
I don’t need it to get moving in the morning. I have lots of energy as soon as I brush my teeth.
However…some people NEED it. I mean really need it!
But what does this have to do with leadership style?
As leaders, whether you run a company, a team, or just have an employee or two, if you are someone who needs that coffee caffeine jolt before getting to work, there’s a probably certain kind of energy are you putting out there.
There are two categories of energy when it comes to leadership- anabolic and catabolic. In this article, we will talk about the low levels in catabolic energy. Remember…ALL catabolic energy is destructive, draining, and unsustainable.
“Don’t Talk to Me Yet” Leadership Style
One kind of coffee drinker hits snooze a few times, shuffles to the kitchen, and waits with their eyes closed until they hear the machine shut off. Their family knows not to ask any important questions until “Daddy or Mommy has their coffee.”
This particular type of energy is the lowest level and includes thoughts of guilt, worry, self-doubt, and being stuck.
Now imagine making decisions with that energy. Leaders who don’t appear invested will have a hard time getting others on board. And when leaders can’t get their teams committed there isn’t a lot of excitement for getting the job done correctly, in a timely manner, or above the minimum requirements. Or if something doesn’t get done correctly or on time, someone in that “woe’s me” energy might make lots (I mean valid, but still) excuses. If people are talking about how you don’t follow through with what you say, how well are you really leading?
Grumpy Grouchy Leadership Style
But then you have another type of coffee drinker. The kind that when the bedroom door opens, family scatters until “Daddy or Mommy has their coffee.” Grumpy is a good word to use here.
This type of low-level energy activates thoughts of struggle, defiance, and frustration. Also unsustainable. Ugh!
Take that leadership energy to work and see what happens. People are afraid to say they messed something up because they might get yelled at or called incompetent. Or get a bunch of blame with an angry side glance. This type of energy often results in team members secretly putting their resumé out and praying not to get found out. Ouch!
When teams and whoever they may lead aren’t happy, it leads to unhappy companies. Happy companies make $$. Unhappy companies don’t.
It is what it is. I change anything. (Eeyore voice) Right?
Well, no. There are several things you can do but I am a big believer in doing one at a time.
Here is one suggestion that I use with my clients in my Triple-A Leadership Formula.
1. Pause when agitated. Take a deep breath when someone does something that bothers you.
2. Close your eyes and picture the problem they present and mentally blow up a balloon around it.
3. Let the balloon go and watch it drift up, up and away.
4. Watch the balloon hit the sun and “poof” it sizzles away to nothing.
So…where do you think you fall on the energy scale? Are you curious to know more? You can reach out to me and we can explore it together.
In the meantime, if you have a quick and easy technique for letting go of a problem so you can feel instant relief, feel free to comment below.