Ignite Your Energy Intro

Be the energy that ignites transformation, for it is within our power to spark the change we wish to see in the world.

Think of someone that you would drop what you are currently working on to go out of your way to help and why?

That was the question I asked the team of around 100 people that worked for me. Some people thought it was odd I asked that question, others were curious, and some knew I had something up my sleeve. Either way answers started pouring in ranging from a best friend to a family member and even a few (but not many) work associates. I collected all the answers and descriptions of why that individual and I summarized in into these 7 words: The individual just has an Energy about them, they have Compassion, Belief, Gratitude, Courage, Forgiveness, and Trust.

Energy. They are passionate, inspiring, confident, positive and driven. They show excitement, enthusiasm and desire.
Compassion. They put others first, listen, are kind, loyal, sincere, genuine, unselfish, thoughtful, considerate, and compassionate.
Belief. They show conviction, blind faith, and unconditional dedication to goals. They just know, have no doubt are committed and laser focused.
Gratitude. They are thankful, selfless, generous, appreciative, humble, responsive, patient and respectful.
Courage. They are brave, assured, bold, visionary, willing, gutsy, valiant, fearless, daring, and persevere with heart.
Forgiveness. They don’t hold grudges, they don’t judge you for mistake, they appreciate effort.
Trust. They say what they are going to do. You can depend on, believe in, count on, bet on, gamble on, lean on, look to and rely on them.

Our team had had a great year the year before and had won some industry recognition. At our yearly team kick-off, I asked who in the room wanted to do it again. There was a pretty unanimous – yes! So, I asked my original question again and shared the words the team had come up. Then I asked them to look around the room and identify how many people in the room fit that description and they would stop what they were doing to help. I asked for any volunteers to stand up and name that co-worker and why. I did have a couple takers but not as many as you would hope for in a high-performing team.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson

I challenged their perspectives that to continue our growth we not only had to drive individual results, but we would have to transform. We would have to each focus to come together as a team to collaborate, contribute and think differently to continually adapt to the challenges of growth. So, I gave them a choice – Do you want to be someone that another co-worker thinks that way about? If so, I encouraged them to take a set of the business cards I created (word on the front and supporting attributes on the back) and then select one word at a time that they could work. We discussed many ways to focus on the word including placing it in a prominent area, reflecting on it on a daily basis, and doing personal development sessions with a peer or your manager around the word. Throughout the year I also held one on one personal development sessions with my direct managers to work on their words. It was great to see the words taped to monitors throughout the year. Oh, we went on to another successful record-breaking year!

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Discover Your Power

Discovering your power to transform (whether transforming a team or transforming yourself) is about recognizing that within you lies an incredible potential for change and growth. It’s about understanding that you are not a passive participant in your life, but an active agent of transformation. This journey of discovery is not always easy. It requires courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. But the rewards are immense.

When you discover your power to transform, you realize that you have the ability to shape your future. You understand that you can turn obstacles into opportunities and challenges into steppingstones for growth. You see that you have the power to change not only your life, but also the lives of those around you.

So, are you ready to ignite your energy, your power to transform? Are you ready to embrace your potential and become the architect of your own life? Remember, the journey of transformation begins with a single step. Take that step today and unlock the power within you.

Your Turn

I ask you those same questions.

Think of someone that you would drop what you are currently working on to go out of your way to help? Why?
Think of someone you admire, and you view as a role model? Why?
Do you want someone to think about you in these ways?
Are you willing to be the energy that ignites your transformation and inspires others?
If so, what attribute(s) do you choose to work on?

NOTE – Our Journey has the 7 attributes listed above, but you can search our blog for many more.