Here’s a spicy thought to chew on while you sip that lukewarm coffee:
You don’t need more hours in your day.
You need more energy in your hours.
Yup, I said it. Time management is tired. Played out. A relic of a 1990s productivity seminar with overhead projectors and laminated planners.
The real key to high-performance leadership?
Energy management.
Because what good is blocking two hours for “deep work” if you spend it zoned out, clicking between Slack and spreadsheets like a caffeine-deprived squirrel?
But Wait, Why Energy?
Think about the most magnetic, effective leaders you’ve worked with. Were they stressed-out micromanagers checking boxes 18 hours a day? Or were they calm, present, and focused — showing up fully in the moments that mattered?
Exactly.
You don’t remember people for how many meetings they had.
You remember them for how they made you feel — in the room, on the call, in the storm.
And feelings run on energy, not time.
Personal Story: When My To-Do List Tried to Kill Me
There was a point in my career where I was managing a team of 12, launching two product lines, and “networking” with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever chasing a squirrel. I had my days scheduled to the minute.
Guess what? I felt like crap.
Sleep-deprived, disconnected, and — oh yeah — not that effective.
I wasn’t burned out from doing too much. I was burned out from doing everything at the wrong energy levels.
I was starting my day with 1-on-1s that drained me. Saving my most creative work for 4 p.m. when my brain was basically melted cheese. And I had no white space, no recharge rituals — just noise.
The fix? I didn’t quit. I didn’t work less.
I learned to lead my energy, not just my team.
Let’s Get Honest: Where’s Your Energy Going?
Take a beat. Ask yourself:
- What gives you energy?
- What sucks the soul right out of your bloodstream?
- When do you feel sharp, dialed in, alive?
- What kind of tasks turn your brain into mashed potatoes?
Seriously, jot it down. That list is more valuable than any time-blocking strategy you’ve ever tried.
Leadership Runs on Four Kinds of Energy
According to Tony Schwartz (yes, that energy management guru who wrote The Power of Full Engagement), it’s not just about mental energy. There are four domains you need to fuel:
- Physical Energy – The foundation. Sleep, food, movement. Neglect this, and all your Zoom charisma goes out the window.
- Emotional Energy – Your vibe. Can you stay positive, composed, resilient when things go sideways?
- Mental Energy – Focus, decision-making, problem-solving. This is your “deep work” zone.
- Spiritual Energy – No, not woo-woo. This is your why. Your purpose. The juice that makes it all feel worth it.
Your job? Keep all four batteries charged. Or at least keep them from dying at the same time.
Practical Tips to Lead with Energy (Not Exhaustion)
1. Design Your Day Around Your Peak Energy
We all have a natural rhythm. Some of us are morning warriors. Others hit our flow at 10 p.m. with three tabs open and a face mask on.
Figure out your peak zones and match them to high-leverage tasks.
- Morning sharp? Do strategic thinking then.
- Midday lull? Book low-stakes meetings or do admin.
- Creative surge in the evening? Save the writing for after dinner.
Stop working against your energy. Start surfing it.
2. Protect Your Energy Like It’s Your Netflix Password
You don’t need to attend every meeting.
You don’t need to reply to every Slack DM within 12 seconds.
You don’t need to give your energy to every drama spiral in the office kitchen.
Say no more often. Cancel what’s not essential. Delegate like a boss. And above all, build buffer space between energy-draining activities.
We call this emotional decompression. It’s a thing. Use it.
3. Micro-Rituals > Mega-Vacations
You don’t need a 10-day retreat in Bali to reset.
You need micro-moments of recovery baked into your daily rhythm:
- 2 minutes of deep breathing before your next meeting
- A short walk instead of another doom-scroll
- Mid-afternoon dance breaks (yes, even if it’s just in your socks)
- A post-lunch playlist that reboots your brain
Energy isn’t restored in one dramatic swoop. It’s rebuilt through tiny, intentional choices.
4. Audit Your Team’s Energy (Not Just Their Output)
Here’s the leadership flex nobody talks about:
High-performing teams aren’t just efficient.
They’re energetically aligned.
If your top performer is drained, distracted, or disengaged — it shows. If your intern is on fire and excited? That energy ripples.
Start asking different questions:
- “What part of your job energizes you?”
- “Where are you feeling drained?”
- “What do you want to do more of?”
Then act on what you hear.
5. Guard Your Purpose Like It’s Sacred (Because It Is)
You can have a full calendar and an empty soul.
You can have back-to-back wins and still feel lost.
You can do everything “right” and still feel completely wrong.
That’s not a productivity issue. That’s a spiritual energy leak.
Refill it:
- Revisit your mission
- Connect to the impact you’re making
- Reflect on who you want to be — not just what you want to achieve
Because burned-out leaders don’t build thriving teams. Purpose-fueled ones do.
Energy Management Is the Real Executive Skill
Forget hustle. Forget the grind.
Modern leadership isn’t about doing more.
It’s about showing up fully — present, powerful, and human.
And that means managing your most precious asset: your energy.
So ask yourself every morning — not “What’s on my calendar?”
But “What do I have energy for today?”
And better yet: “How can I protect and elevate that energy for others?”
Because real leadership isn’t about how many things you get done.
It’s about how many people you light up just by showing up.
Over to You:
When are you at your best?
What drains your energy the fastest?
What’s one thing you can change this week to recharge your leadership mojo?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, send this to your fellow leaders, or journal it out. Just promise me this — stop measuring your worth by your hours worked.
Measure it by the energy you bring.