Hi, there lovely readers. A friend recently lamented the toxic environment she was working in and, as this year’s blog is all about career success strategies, I asked what specifically made her workplace so uncomfortable. ‘The attitude of a few of my colleagues – they constantly criticise, everything seems to be a drama – they’re sucking the life right out of me’ she responded. My friend’s comment struck a chord for I’d just read a great little article about ‘energy-givers’ versus ‘energy-takers’ (Suzy Walsh) There are two types of people – here’s the one you need to succeed.
Energy-givers v energy-takers – which one are you?
Welsh believes that energy-givers are filled with positivity, are solution-focused and always leave you feeling invigorated; while the negative and/or
needy energy-takers tend to suck the oxygen out of the room. Seems my frustrated friend is surrounded with the oxygen suckers. Or is she?
How we share our energy both in leisure and in the workplace can have a significant impact on how we are perceived. Energy-givers are more likely to advance in their careers thanks to their positive outlook whereas energy-takers are more likely to be branded as negative trouble makers and worse still, possibly slated for removal when there are budget squeezes.
To determine which type of person we are, Welsh says we should ask ourselves three questions. And I did. Are you up for it?:
1. When was the last time I gave encouragement to a friend/colleague?
Energy givers enjoy pouring their positivity into other people’s success, no agendas involved, while energy-takers tend to be more concerned about themselves.
Uh oh! Pondering this I realised that, while my clients espouse my enthusiasm and positivity when building the confidence to land their dream jobs, I haven’t necessarily delivered the same for my team members. Note to self – pay more attention, look for and high-five their kick-ass outcomes. How do you celebrate your team member successes?
2. When was the last time I initiated a group event?
Energy-givers will often initiate activities like a dinner out, drinks after work, a Sunday BBQ or simply a Friday drinkies in the boardroom ritual to celebrate the week’s successes. Energy takers are less likely to do so though they’ll be happy to tag along. Whoo Hoo! Well almost, for yes, I have, and I do, however in the busyness of business these events have fallen by the wayside of late. It’s time to reinitiate. Back with the bubbles, beer and cheeseboards! What do you do to keep your team engaged?
3. How do I typically categorise people? Good or evil?
Yes, in simple terms, there are good and bad people in the world; however, the energy-giver is more likely to be the optimist who sees bad people as a minority in the overall population while the energy-takers rarely notice the good in others. Instead, Welch says they often view life and work as “a rigged game to be out-smarted.” Yea! Definitely in the optimist space here. ‘Cept when someone forgets to buy the bubbles and beer!
Room for improvement for me. And where does my friend sit? And you? If you’ve determined that you’re an energy-giver — excellent! Welsh says you’re on track to having a successful and fulfilling career.
On the other hand, if these questions have forced you to admit that you might be an energy-taker, Welch warns that you’ve some “heavy psychological lifting to do” if you want to change for the better. Regardless of the camp you find yourself in, there’s always room for improvement.
