Harness Your Energy, Benefit Your Business

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Rodney De Iorio, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.

We’re all pretty aware that the way you show up and present yourself every day can, and will, have an impact on your business. But did you know the energy you hold will also have a profound affect on your business. This is called Energy Leadership and it can be measured by the Energy Leadership Index (ELI), a proprietary tool* that allows us to understand what your energy level is in common situations, and what energy levels in which you naturally resonate.

As an ELI Master Practitioner, I’m versed in each of the seven levels of energy and how they can show up in different situations, and more so, how they tend to show up for my clients and their businesses. Each individual can control their own energy, but first they have to be aware of their energy levels. Once you’re aware, you can decide if that’s how you want to show up for the situation or change it.

It’s important to note that there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” energy. There is just energy. Some energy can be catabolic and others can be anabolic, meaning some energy tends to break things down (catabolic) while other energy brings things together (anabolic). When you take the ELI assessment, we are able to identify what levels you function in primarily and what levels you move to when under stress. You also don’t have to go through the levels of energy in order. If you’re at a Level 1, you don’t have to go to Level 2 in order to get to Level 3. Similarly, if you’re at a Level 5, you don’t have to go to a Level 4 to get to a Level 3. Sometimes you will, but it’s not necessary.

So what are these levels and how can they affect your business? Let’s use Sam, a small business owner that owns and operates a dry cleaners, as an example. Sam’s business is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All of Sam’s long-time customers know Sam runs a timely, efficient business, meaning their clothes will be ready within the time range given and the store is rarely opened early or closed late. On Tuesday evening, Sam is getting ready to close and head to their child’s recital when the shop phone rings. It’s a long-time customer that Sam has serviced since the shop opened. The customer exclaims, “Sam! I’m so sorry, I got held up at work and then stuck in traffic on my way to pick up my clothes. I really need this suit for an important meeting tomorrow. GPS is estimating I’ll be there about ten minutes after seven. Can you wait?”

Using the 7 Levels of Energy, let’s see how Sam can respond:

Level 1 – Woe is Me

A Level 1 response to the scenario would leave Sam feeling apathetic and thinking they’re the victim. While Level 1 energy can have some advantages, such as protecting you from harm or receiving sympathy from others, it is a catabolic energy because you often feel like you’ve already lost and can’t change the outcome – you’ve gotten the short end of the stick.

Whether Sam stays open for the customer or not, their energy will be low and internal dialogue will be overwhelmingly negative: “Why does this always happen to me? I’m such a terrible business owner, I can’t get my customers to respect my hours. I’m a terrible parent. I might as well close the shop. I’m a failure.”

Level 2 – How Dare You?!

A Level 2 response would have Sam feeling angry and conflicted – do they stay late to help the customer and get to their child’s recital late, or do they leave on time and get to the recital on time? With Level 2 energy, Sam would tell the customer no, that they won’t stay open, thinking “How dare the customer ask me to stay late! It’s their fault for not leaving their job on time!”

This energetic response is very catabolic and comes from the frame of reference that someone else must lose, in order for me to win. In a business setting, long-term or misplaced Level 2 energy could lead to losing customers, dissatisfied employees and the break down of your business.

Level 3 – Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

At Level 3, Sam takes responsibility for their thoughts, emotions and actions. Being the first level of anabolic energy, Sam knows the way they respond to the customer’s request is completely within their control. At this level, the focus for Sam is still closing and making their child’s recital, but they also want the customer to be able to get their clothes on time. Sam would likely respond, “I”m sorry, I can’t stay late today, I have an appointment I need to go to. I can open a little early tomorrow, if you’d like to stop by then.”

The advantages of this approach includes not letting other people’s life circumstances stand in the way of what you want. Sam wanted to go to their child’s recital, the customer’s circumstances didn’t deter that. However, the disadvantage of Level 3 is that it could cause you to manipulate people or settle for “good enough” because your goal is to win, no matter what. This could lead to you under performing and not reaching your highest potential.

Level 4 – How Can I Help You?

These next two levels – Level 4 and Level 5 – are where a lot of my clients often hold much of their primary energy as both levels deal with finding solutions to problems. Level 4 energy is based in concern, compassion and service. You want to work and achieve so others can succeed. This means, Sam would tell the client, “No problem! I’ll be here! Drive safely, and thank you for calling!”

Sam is clearly concerned with helping the client out of a rut, even if it means Sam will be late to the recital. Sam is also so overly concerned with being liked and compassionate towards customers, that they don’t put up boundaries. In business, we often look at this as “making sacrifices.”

This level of energy is great when dealing with employees because it can foster collaboration and teamwork, but if this is the level always used with customers’ special requests you can end up taking on significant amounts of extra work to remove the perceived burden from your customer. Similarly, if things don’t work out the way you want – for instance, Sam stays late but completely misses the recital – energy levels can drop quickly.

Level 5 – I Win Only If You Win

With Level 5 energy, Sam would absolutely stay open for the customer because, like Level 4, they want to create a “win-win” situation. However, unlike at Level 4, Level 5 energy also means that if the customer loses, then Sam also loses. In essence, Level 5 energy is about reconciliation, peace and acceptance. At this level, it’s easy to see different options and outcomes before making a decision.

I find that Level 5 energy is common with entrepreneurs because at Level 5, you see everything as an opportunity. Sam would know that if they wait for the customer, they may end up being late for the recital. But Sam also knows that if they stay late for the customer and provide top quality service, not only will the customer likely return, but they may tell their friends which could result in more customers. Not only are you excited by all the opportunities and plans, but you actually become more excited when things don’t go as planned because of the new opportunities that are presented. Additionally, at Level 5, you’re more adapt to taking risks, open to finding solutions and are often inspiring to others.

Level 6 – Life Is A Wonderful Opportunity

Level 6 can best be associated with acceptance, joy and wisdom. It is often what creative geniuses, visionaries and brilliant leaders harness to create new innovations that benefit everyone. You feel like you’re connected to everyone and everything. There is no judgement, no “win” nor “lose.” Life and all of its experiences are opportunities.

A Level 6 response to Sam’s situation would be empathetic with a genuine sense of joy to stay open for the customer. Sam wouldn’t fret over being late to the recital because they don’t think of being late as a problem. This could result in Sam being seen as aloof and out of touch, because at its core, individuals at Level 6 see everyone and everything as part of themselves and allow their intuition to come alive.

Level 7 – I Create My World As I Choose

Observation, creation and experience are central to Level 7, the highest level of anabolic energy. At Level 7, there is no judgement, fear or concern for an outcome, but rather unabashed passion for experiencing and creating life at the same time. No one is able to sustain at Level 7, but learning to access it when needed can lead to phenomenal outcomes. When Business owners and entrepreneurs access Level 7 they are able to develop new, brilliant, products or services by having a clear vision without relying on a certain outcome.

Perhaps, after Sam stays open for the customer, Sam decides to tap into Level 7 to come up with a way to allow customers access to their clothes after hours. The clear vision of what Sam wants to create allows Sam to create without fear of judgement. Sam doesn’t need to rely on an outcome because they know there is no right or wrong answer. There’s no need to “get it right” and no one is depending on it. Sam can use their passion for customer service to create their vision.

Working on identifying and understanding the 7 Levels of Energy has lead to many great outcomes for business owners and entrepreneurs. While many business owners tend to resonate at Level 4 and Level 5, they don’t necessarily stay at those primary levels throughout their business journey. Once a business owner is able to identify the energy in which they are currently acting, they can consciously change it to fit the situation – both long term and short term. This can lead to greater outcomes such as client satisfaction, employee retention and a greater sense of fulfillment in business and, more importantly, in life.

*Energy Leadership, the 7 Levels of Energy and the ELI are concepts and tools developed by IPEC.