Inspiring Workplaces: The Power of Positive Energizers at Work

Published: Wed, 05/18/22

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Inspiring Workplaces ISSUE 921 - May 18, 2022
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    The Power of Positive Energizers at Work
   



 
A study published in Harvard Business Review by Emma Seppala and Kim Cameron delved into this question: What is the greatest predictor of success for a leader?

The study revealed that it was not their power, charisma, influence, attractiveness, or innovative genius that most predicted future success. It was their energy. Now they're not talking about "woo woo" stuff, but something they referred to as "positive relational energy": The energy exchanged between people that helps uplift, enthuse, and renew them.

The most effective leaders were "positive energizers." These leaders not only lifted up others and their entire organization, they also lifted themselves up through authentic leadership that embraced humility, compassion, forgiveness, kindness, honesty, integrity, trust, generosity, gratitude, and recognition. These were the leaders who infused rooms with energy; the people who brighten up a room when they enter it rather than when they leave it! 

Here's a simple litmus test: Does interacting with this colleague leave you feeling more energized, or do they deplete your energy?

The impact of positive energizers is enormous: Employees are far more engaged; there's improved innovation, teamwork and collaboration; greater job satisfaction; greater performance; and even improved relationships with family members. 

As I stress in my book, The Jerk-Free Workplace, true leadership has nothing to do with your position in your organization, so when I use the term "leader" I'm talking about everyone, including you. You have the power to become a positive energizer in your workplace!
And the great news is, it doesn't take any extra training or special skills.

By simply choosing to be a positive energizer, you will play an enormous role when it comes to creating a more inspiring workplace. And, as the study shows, energize yourself in the process!  

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    Mike's Fun at Work Tip
 
Long time subscriber Michelle Wilcox shared a fun at work idea they do in her workplace. Inspired by Kenneth Blanchard’s “The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey,” they created a Monkey Box where employees drop in a written submission detailing how something went completely off the rails at work. Why is it called a Monkey Box? Because writing it down and feeding it into the box symbolically helps people get the "monkey off their back." At the end of the season, they share the monkey-off-the-back submissions - which always generates a barrel of laughs.
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    Sage Advice of the Week

"Before you throw your hands up in the air in defeat, always make sure you put your coffee cup down."
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    Funny Business
 
This is an older story but it's a great reminder of how businesses need to have their "opportunity radar" finely tuned to be able to respond to these kind of situations. In 2015 a man named Joel Burger married a woman named Ashley King. So, spotting a fun opportunity, Burger King paid for the entire wedding! (And no, I don't know if they catered it.) 
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Wanted: Audiences in Need of Inspiration! Respond to this email to find out how Michael can help inspire your team with an idea-packed, humor-filled presentations!  “Michael Kerr is one of the best speakers I have ever seen, and I would highly recommend him for your next business gathering.” Veronica D. Bouvier, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Aspen Properties Ltd


Great Workplace Cultures That Drive Outrageous Results Don't Happen By Accident! You need to invest in your workplace culture and you need as many positive culture energizers as possible to help drive lasting, meaningful change. Let's have a conversation about how my Culture Leadership online course can help you get the results you need!
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