…it’s a great song (if 70’s music is your vibe), but it’s not a great leadership strategy.
I’m writing this from my favorite local coffee shop. The owner is working today, doing what she always does – greeting everyone who walks in like she’s genuinely glad we’re here.
A few minutes ago, she looked right at a group of middle-schoolers hanging out, smiled, and said, “Your food and drinks are coming right up!”
It struck me because so many adults (including me, probably) wouldn’t do that. Not intentionally. It’s just easy to overlook kids sometimes, especially when you don’t have any of your own.
But she treated them exactly the way she treats everyone else: with attention, respect, and presence. And it’s one more reason the place is always packed. Even when the tables are empty, there’s a steady stream of people, young and old, coming in for coffee and baked goods.
And it reminded me of something that doesn’t get enough airtime:
Presence takes energy.
Seeing people takes energy. (If you’re a raging introvert, multiply that by 10.)
Patience takes energy.
Many of us are running on fumes and energy is in short supply.
Overdoing it takes a toll and it shows up as shorter tempers, foggy thinking, reactive decisions, and the subtle inability to see the people right in front of you.
You can’t honor your values or lead the way you want to lead when you’re depleted.
The coffee shop owner isn’t a unicorn. She’s resourced.
- When you’re resourced, you can be generous.
- When you’re resourced, you can be patient.
- When you’re resourced, you can show up the way you intended.
So as you head into the final stretch of the year, a reminder (for you and for me):
Protect your energy like it matters. Because it does.
You and your leadership are better when you’re not running on fumes.
Shameless plug: here are a few past posts that can support you.
How to identify different types of burnout and what to do about it.
How small shifts can make a big impact.
The importance of taking time off.
A reminder of how stress impacts our emotional and physical health.
Give yourself a minute to breathe. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
