Some people are easy to follow. There is something about them that gives us belief in ourselves and a desire to follow them and make great things happen. Other people are harder to follow. Being around them, following them, can be draining and demoralising.
A few years ago I developed an acronym for what makes a successful and high performing leader. The second word into the acronym is one that sets apart extraordinary leaders from the rest. Its…
LEADERS are Energisers.
Meaning extraordinary leaders impart energy and vitality and spirit to the people they lead.
It’s not that they are the bubbliest person in the room, rather they bring and give energy to others. And being an energetic leaders seems to be powered by a bunch of other E words.
Leaders equip.
Encourage.
Engage.
Empower.
Empathise.
Enthuse.
Sometimes exhort.
And often entertain.
STOP – SLOWLY read the list again.
Does the list describe your leadership?
Whether its large groups or individual meetings. People want to follow a leader who gives them the energy to move forward.
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If you’re struggling with the way you lead at the moment, its maybe because your team aren’t energised by you. You aren’t giving them the energy and empowerment and engagement they need to move forward. To succeed.
And the hardest part of being an energiser … is trying to give energy when you don’t have any yourself.
Trust me I know.
I’ve been reminded this week personally of the importance of making sure my energy levels are high, so that I can lead my team well.
LEADERS are energisers.
Go, bring energy!
One of the first things you notice when you take a Tuk Tuk ride in Cambodia is the way they use their horns.
“Failure’s not fun. But failure is required. Failure in the service of learning, of experimenting, of making things – this is essential.
Recently I was having coffee with a guy who had taken some advice I have given him and was raving about it. The funny thing is that he confessed to me that one of his team had given him the same advice a few months earlier and he had largely ignored it.
“You’re the nicest person on the face of the planet! Thank you for being so gracious” was the response to me from one of the staff at a 
For those who know me, you will know one of my favourite (and at times most frustrating) questions is “How do you mean?”
few years ago as they asked my opinion on their business idea. The weird thing about the conversation is they tried to tell me without actually disclosing what their idea was. They were concerned that I might steal their idea. After playing that dance I got pretty candid with them and told them I had enough business ideas of my own that I will never do, so I don’t really need their ideas.
