Do you ever feel like you just don’t have enough energy to do the things that you want to do because you are spending all of it on the things you have to do? Finding the energy to make it through everyday is hard enough and finding the energy to pour into others as a leader is even a greater challenge.
I recently had the privilege to partner with 15 other authors, from all over the world, in producing Energize Your Leadership: Discover, Ignite, Break Through. When we first started to explore the idea of a collaborative book project, we wanted to provide the reader with both a topic that would be relevant and content that would add value to them in their role as a leader.
We all deal with finding what it takes to find the energy, not only to fuel our own motor, but to fuel the leaders we are trying to develop around us. In my Chapter titled “Question Yourself” I share the story of my own journey in finding that fuel.
When my job description and responsibilities changed due to a leadership restructuring at the business I had worked at for 15 years, it changed the way I was able to lead. What I didn’t realize at the time was that my opportunity to lead was what was filling my bucket and providing the energy that led to my success. It was the fulfillment of adding value to others and working as a team to accomplish goals that inspired me to be the leader I was capable of being. When that changed, so did I.
So what did I learn from this experience?
- I now understand that I had found my identity in what I did and not in who I was. When what I did fell apart, so did I. The “why” that once fueled me had been lost and I was literally running on empty. [Tweet Now]
- I realized that as leaders we can sometimes become more concerned with protecting the why that fuels those around us and forget about filling up our own tank. As my mentor John Maxwell says, “You cannot give what you do not have.”
- I found out how empowering it is to empower others. I think at the end of the day, we all want to add value, make a difference, and be part of something bigger than we are alone. We need energy to do that!
I learned many things from that experience and now know that this is something that we need to keep in check and review often. I use three questions to make sure that I protect myself from running on empty.
- What would it take to increase my level of awareness?
- What intention have I set to create a change?
- Who will I ask to hold me accountable in making that change?
I encourage you to invest in yourself and invest in a copy of Energize Your Leadership. I think you will find the insights from myself and my 15 colleagues will add to your ability to keep the tank full and have some in reserve to share with those around you.
SEE YOU AT THE PUMP!
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Barry Smith 5/4/15 photo courtesy of Authors © Building What Matters 2015
