Do you have a gage that monitors energy? After reading this blog I am confident you will recognize that you do have one. When studying successful people, or Chief Officer titles (CFO, COO, CEO) you becoming proficient in seeing energy with the naked eye. Successful people are generally described as smart, team leaders, hard workers, and great communicators. The adjective word “energy” is not a common word used in the description. Yet it is one of the most powerful assets successful people have.
Let’s categorize energy into four types: physical energy, intellectual energy, emotional energy, and visual energy. While all four types are required for success, emotional and visual energy are by far the most important ones and can be cultivated. Let’s review each one of these energies.
- Physical energy is the most commonly known and probably the most easily detected. Take a look at high level people in your company and you may see that these managers walk fast, walk with a purpose and appear to have a high level of energy and never tires. I’ll share a little secret, we do crash at night. Yet, the next morning we are back on our game and re-energized. The physical energy usually comes from the inner drive to get things done and goals to accomplish. Obviously it helps to eat healthy and have a good workout routine. The drive to succeed is what fuels the physical energy.
- Intellectual or mental energy is the knowledge for which one can accomplish the job with enthusiasm. Collins dictionary defines energy as “the determination and enthusiasm about doing things” and defines intellectual as ” involving a person’s ability to think and understand ideas and information.” Therefore, intellectual energy is much more than just intellectual knowledge. The key ingredient that successful people add to their intelligence is positive energy. Intellectual energy is an enthusiastic way of accomplishing the job.
- Emotional energy -This is the energy that has the ability to help us understand ourselves as well as understand and interact with others. It’s a great gift knowing how to connect with and relate to various individuals in various situations. Successful people learn to master this ability to sense people. It can be learned. Sometimes we don’t need to do all the talking. Take time to listen and observe what they are saying. Relating to the emotions of the topic, people, or organic surroundings is extremely valuable to having others understand your point and be in agreement.
- Visual Energy is the ability to see and study everything around you. Sometimes taking the silent approach to quietly observe people and surroundings is the most powerful way to learn and become a student of the environment. Make it a habit as you walk into a room and see what is around you. Notice the people in the room. Study their personality traits, their body postures and actions. You will learn so much about a person if you silently observe them. You will be able to understand them more and be able to relate better. When you can relate to them, they will be able to relate to you. A very powerful asset in business.
Making the decision to pay attention to others is valuable. This should be taught from grade school through college. It should be second nature to all of us by the time we graduate from school and start our first professional job. Unfortunately it is not taught in school, but fortunately it can be learned at any age. Make this part of your daily interactions with all. It will become a natural part of your personality. This will make you more relatable and become more adaptable.
This is the beginning to becoming a human chameleon. To be able and open to understand situations, people, changes, and growth. I am certain you have met people that won’t change with the times and you have met others that inspire you to keep learning. It has nothing to do with age, it has all to do with your inner self.
I had read in an old article from Psychology Today titled “Are You a Social Chameleon or a Zebra?” It truly is a good question. Although a zebra stands out in a room, and that might be seen as good, think about it for a bit. In our professional world it is about who do we follow. Are going to follow the zebra? I don’t think so. We follow and respect those that can listen and relate to us. That is what a true leader aims for. The leader wants the team to be on the same growth train. The leader wants to be an effective leader and lead the team to success.
To be truly successful you need to be able to relate to others. Whether you trying to sell an item, pitch an idea or help the company grow in a direction, you need to be able to understand the people, company, or other organic surroundings.
The doors will open as we become a human chameleon. Sometimes it’s not about us, it’s about everyone else that is affected. Become familiar with the “everyone else and the environment.”
Learn to adjust in professional situations, environment and people (MB)
Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash