Energy Vampires

Over the last few years, I can feel that my passion for learning and growth continues to grow. Two days ago I received a new book that I was anxiously anticipating. The book is titled "The Energy Bus" written by Jon Gordon. The book is extremely well written and is all about exuding positive energy and how that energy can positively affect your family, team, or organization. I was so in tuned to the story and the lessons that the writer cleverly placed within that I couldn't put the book down and finished reading it in just two days. Out of all the passages and anecdotes throughout the book, there was one focus that really caught my attention regarding Energy Vampires. Energy Vampires are those within your organization who have not bought into the vision and direction of the group, and literally suck the positive energy from those around them causing disruption and disarray among your team.

All of us have encountered them. Perhaps even come in contact with them every day. They are the non-believers, the cynics, the pessimist. It's painful for them to be at work or at an early morning workout. No matter the circumstance or situation they seek out the negative. For every positive thought, they find two negatives. Every opportunity is merely an obstacle not worth putting the effort to overcome. There have been countless times in my own professional career when I'm exuberant and energized by a new idea and after presenting that idea to a group, it has been torn apart and trampled upon in a matter of moments. I've seen if from myself as well, perhaps with new strategy presented by an employer. If it's not an idea that benefits me or inconveniences me in some way, I have searched for every possible reason why the idea can't work or produce a positive outcome.  When we resort to this sort of practice, we are encouraging poor or safe ideas. Ideas that won't push the envelope or force us to step out of our comfort zone. If those are the only ideas we see fit to pursue, rarely will we see a great transformation. I'm not suggesting that every outlandish or brave idea is a good idea, but if we are always pulling in a different direction we are not working toward a common goal. Jon Gordon talks about getting everyone on "your bus", that everyone within the organization must be in pursuit of a common goal.

So what do we do with ourselves when we, in fact, have become the negative distraction within our organization? It's not something we even have to say. It is communicated through our body language, in our effort to envision the positive, and even within our own thoughts. When we, ourselves, aren't headed in the same direction as our teams or families we are detrimental to the arrival at the destination. Well, we really only have two options. 1: Get off the bus. 2) Redesign or transform our thought process and get on the bus, get on the same page with whoever is driving the bus. We can't always control where the bus is going, but we can control our own thoughts and energy toward the final outcome. Our minds must be open to new ideas, and we must put force positive effort to give the idea an opportunity to be successful. That doesn't mean that it always will, but it will help in making good decisions going forward that lead in the right direction.

If you are the person driving the bus, what do you then do with an Energy Vampire who is wreaking havoc on your team or organization? This brought me to thinking about my own vehicle. As I am driving the vehicle, if I temporarily let go of the wheel, my truck starts the veer off in the wrong direction due to the alignment of the my tires. Even with my hand on the wheel at all times, I'm force to keep the wheel turned slightly to the left. I eventually get to my destination, but not with efficiency. My vehicle is forced to spend extra fuel staying on the right path by pulling against the wheel that is not aligned properly. It is the same in an organization. With Energy Vampires, we are forced to spend extra energy trying to keep the group headed in the right direction because of those that keep pulling us in the wrong direction. In this case, there are still only two very similar options: 1) Align the problem. 2) Make a change if it can't be aligned. Rid your team of the problem by replacing the problem. You, yourself, have to determine if the issue at hand is something that needs to be dealt with because is detrimental to the energy and direction of the group.

It is not easy to make a change or leave someone behind. Their is a certain fear that comes over us, paralyzes us. I've felt it too. It's not easy to be point blank with an Energy Vampire. Often times we may even feel intimated by their power of negativity. They may be someone with great potential and talent. It takes courage to address the issue, and give the individual a chance to get on the bus or exit at the next station. The choice is still theirs. If you outline the vision for the organization and give them the opportunity to align themselves to that vision, it is a conscious choice that only they can make. You will feel a great burden lifted off of your shoulders knowing that the problem has been addressed and lies in their hands. As a coach, we see this quite often. We ask players to be "All In' in their commitment to their team's direction and goals. Players that aren't "All In" miss workouts, aren't coachable, don't pay attention in film sessions, give poor effort, or drag down a team practice with negative energy. It is difficult to leave someone behind. As a leader, you feel that you want to save each one and have failed when that doesn't happen. But at what expense does that become destructive to those focusing on the vision. In my short time as a coach, we have had players that have decided that they didn't want to be on our bus, and over time it proved to be a positive for our team in their preparation, practice, and belief in one another. It was their still their decision. There have also been times that I have failed to properly address Energy Vampires, and in the end it didn't work out for the best for the organization. It takes courage, but you are doing them a favor by doing so and a disservice to them and your team when you fail to do so.

Finally, this does not insinuate that you walk around pointing out flaws with an iron fist. It must done with the right motives and out of love. Present the individual an opportunity to make a decision, but make sure you communicate that it is a choice given to them for their own benefit and the benefit of their team members. You will feel comfort in knowing that you have laid forth the expectations for the right reasons. Ultimately, it is for the greater good. If there is something or someone within your organization that is pulling your team in the wrong direction, address it. Either fix the problem or let the problem fix itself. If you are spending a great deal of time worrying about the problem, then you are not allowed to put your energy or focus into the things that require your attention. Vampires are allergic to light, and will stay in the dark or transform themselves into a new entity. Do your best to pull them into the light because light gives energy to all it touches. Head toward the light and a brighter, bolder future for your organization...