You Deplete Me! How Energy Vampires Ruin Your Business

Your Revenue

Leadership and authenticity are inextricably linked.  If you are imperfect and yet authentic while also exhibiting the leadership characteristics of integrity, honesty, character and self respect, you will still have followers.  As humans, we are imperfect.  Followers know that.  But, with authenticity, at least on a bad day, your followers will bring you something soothing with a ‘she’s having a bad day” and forgiveness, while they ensure that the processes run smoothly and the tactical plan is executed. 

We all remember the scene in Jerry McGuire when the words “you complete me” were uttered.  It silenced protagonists and seized us in its emotional grip.  But what about when we meet an inauthentic jerk, do you experience a moment when you wanted to say “you deplete me!”

Emotional vampires are all around us.  They are easy to identify.  Note when you interact with someone and as they walk away energized, you feel drained.  In that moment, realize that your energy and motivation have been sapped, and you now need to find your own personal energy source and replenish yourself. 

Envision your corporation.  Mentally take a walk around.   What do you see?  Are people energized, excited and motivated?  Do they excitedly communicate about the company’s vision and your dreams for the corporation’s future?  Or are they in a dreamlike state just going through the motions.   If your company is an emotional desert or filled with people just going through the motions, then this should be a wake up call to your leadership.  In today’s market you cannot afford a leadership void.   Get everyone on the bus and moving in the right direction. 

Here are three things you can do right now if you have a “You deplete me” style of management in the organization:

1.  Root out the source of this management style and employ a "you deplete you pay" compensation plan.

2.  Provide a reporting mechanism for those who are being drained of motivation and forced to shut down and bury their ideas.

3.  Reward managers who encourage a collaborative management style that utilizes all the brains in the room.  You're paying for those brains, expertise, and ideas, so utilize them to the best of your capability.  Innovation need room to breathe so it can come to life. 

Here's the thing, Nike has a sneaker that wirelessly connects to the runner's iPod.  The skeaker and iPod work together so that the speed of the runner selects a slow or fast song.  Sound incredible?  Just imagine the conference room the day the employee said "I've got an idea!  What about a sneaker that wirelessly communicates with the runner's iPod?"  What do you think would have happed if the leadership at Nike laughed it off and caused the employee to shut down?

Hmm, I see millions of dollars with little wings flying away.  Don't let tha happen to your company.

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