Are You The C.E.E.O. (Chief Emotional Energy Officer)?

I’ve often seen CEO’s blindsided by the unintended consequences of their emotions.  A CEO’s sudden outburst, a dour mood or sarcastic comment transforms a meeting's energy from positive to negative in a second. So, right now, think about how your emotional energy resonates throughout your firm. If you were a weather system, would you be bright and sunny or cloudy and gloomy? Does your spirit call forth possibility or pessimism? Is it supportive or suppressive?   Or, perhaps, it’s non-existent.  Ugh! As is often said, as the leader goes, so go the Leadership Team and the company.  So, it's important that you, as the Chief Energy Officer, get this right.  How do you create the energetic field that supports high performance, engaged employees and satisfied clients?

I've found that great CEO's are great at energy management.  Noticing the extra effort extended to serve a customer.  Recognizing the obstacles conquered in the completion of a challenging task. Folks love to work for these leaders. These CEO's practice great "emotional awareness" and practice positive acknowledgement at every opportunity.  One CEO simply carried 5 pennies in his left pocket. Through the course of the day, he'd seek out opportunities to appreciate and affirm staff members who were living their firm's values.  After each acknowledgement, this CEO would simply transfer one penny from his left pocket to his right pocket.  He became a source of hope and optimism throughout his company.  Employees were delighted to share with him their achievements and their frustrations.  For they knew his response would energize and support them.  He claimed it was the best use of 5 cents ever!

So, today as you walk the office, visit the showroom, explore the warehouse, think about the emotional wake you're leaving behind you.  How do your employees feel after a conversation with you?  How do you want them to feel?