*This post is the third in a seven part series on Energy Leadership.
The first two levels of energy, the first being victim focused and the second being conflict focused, operated within catabolic energy. At its core, catabolic energy describes energy that is draining, destructive, and potentially very toxic to you, to your organization, and to all those around you. I think we can agree that being apathetic and angry isn’t good for anyone.
Well, level three offers a change – a different attitude. Here it is – we are finally about responsibility for our own thoughts and actions.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances—to choose one’s own way. – Viktor Frankl, neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor.
What Frankl is saying is accurate. We all control our own thoughts and emotions, but more importantly we are finally becoming masters of ourselves.
Look at this scenario: You just hired a new account executive for one of your mid-level clients. They didn’t meet all your requirements for the position, but in their interview they blew you away and you believe they have the skills and passion to be a perfect fit. Their first few days are exactly what you thought they would be.
Their passion is rubbing off on others. They are hard working. They have that attention to detail you have been looking for. But then it happens. They drop the ball. The client is mad. You are disappointed. But you cleaned up the mess. You are talking to the client to calm their fears about this new employed, “They made a big mistake, but they didn’t know any better.”
Some key things to remember here. While you are taking responsibility in this level, you are also still placing blame on others. Saying “I forgive you” or “they made a mistake” still isn’t the most positive leadership quality a leader wants to project. At this level, the buck seems to stops there, not here.
Where in your life might you be taking responsibility for yourself, only to be building a shield around yourself but setting others up for failure?
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