“When people clarify what matters and leverage their strengths, leaders emerge and anything is possible.”
This week I’m joined by my colleague Katie Drake, our Director of Operations and co-presenter.
Katie isn’t just a bright light on our team; she’s part of a rising wave of local influencers regenerating energy here and across Central New York. She’s proof that one person with clarity and presence can lift the entire room.
Together, we want to challenge you with four ways to become the energy source your people need:
Your first hour sets your power level for the entire day. Leaders who begin in a reactive state tend to stay reactive and leak energy all day long. You either own the day, or the day owns you.
There’s a great book called Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy that talks about prioritizing what matters most and doing that first. The Pareto principle rings true here: 20% of your efforts will yield 80% of your results.
Personally, I (Katie) preserve my mornings by making my to-do list the night before, prioritizing business development, important communications, anything that will move the needle. Win the morning, lead the day.
Energy transfers instantly. You walk into a room and shift it—for better or worse. People are emotional thermometers; they can sense your state before you even speak.
As a leader, it’s critical to bring the right energy at the right time. That might mean tuning into your strengths — like positivity, empathy, communication, or analysis — depending on what the moment calls for.
People sometimes describe me as “a lot” and I take that as a compliment. To me, it means high energy. And high energy is the secret ingredient to creating meaningful interactions. Your presence is louder than your words. Tune it.
Positive feedback is a renewable energy source. In high-stress environments, people rarely hear what they’re doing well unless you say it out loud.
Recognition is rocket fuel. If leadership is a launch pad, your job is to build up confidence, competence, and emotional intelligence. The greatest leadership achievement? Building other leaders.
Recognition is how you fuel motivation and empower people to rise. On the contrary, people shut down when you constantly tell them what you don’t want. Instead, speak in the affirmative. Let people know what they’re doing right and what you need from them to succeed. That kind of clarity and encouragement multiplies.
Sometimes, the most powerful energy is stillness. Constant motion can burn your team out. Calm focus creates the space to think, grow, and breathe.
I used to overschedule myself constantly. But when I became a mom, I had to take a hard look at what truly motivates me. What flowers am I watering and when? Where do I want to make the most impact?
These days, I’m stingy with my calendar and my commitments so I can be generous with my time when it counts. And I know it’s working because on Monday mornings, I run to work (figuratively speaking, of course!).
Leaders: Prioritize your health and wellbeing like you would for your team. Protect your energy so you can be your best self and your best leader.
Every environment has an energy thermostat. Leaders set it.
You don’t need a title to raise the room. Just intention.
Whether you’re mentoring youth, running a meeting, or leading a business, ask yourself: Am I giving energy or taking it?
The answer changes everything.
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