Joy Where the Energy Is

I realize that the post title is a grammatically awkward sentence, but that's what I want to say. I get blown away by people, I really do. Over the past few days I have had the privileged of being with several highly passionate and enrolled people.

It makes such a difference when you go where the energy is. Here's what you find:

• This is obvious but worth saying - ENERGY. You get energy and we can all use a bit of that at times.
• You move forward. People are interested in making something happen.
• You work with great people. Genuine, connected people are found where the energy is.

Salmon are born to a tough fate - they have to swim upstream to succeed. We are not salmon. We don't have to swim upstream, we can zoom forward with the current. Sometimes we think that the right path is the one upstream against the current. I question that approach suggest that we look for the energy and go there.

Are you trying to build your business or improve your department? Look for the people who are already drawn to what you want to do. Form partnerships based on connections and chemistry, not price or prestige. I once worked for a small firm that had a temperamental CEO. It took the managers a while, but they eventually learned that the best way to make a contribution to the business was to tap into something that was important to the CEO and make it work well. New managers would try to swim upstream by pitching ideas that never had a chance.

Am I saying we should be wimps and never challenge the system? Not at all! I love a great challenge, but you want to approach the challenge by going where the energy is.

If there is no energy, create energy. If there is still no energy, perhaps it is not the right challenge.