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READ TIME: 2 MINUTES

In my corporate days, I witnessed a multi-million-dollar project crumble—not because of strategy, budget, or market conditions—but because of one overlooked factor: depleted leadership energy.

The project lead was brilliant.

Technical expertise? Unmatched.

Leadership presence? Commanding.

But the energy was leaking everywhere:

• Back-to-back meetings with no time to think.
• Constant crisis management that pulled focus from priorities.
• No recovery time to recharge and refocus.

The result? Critical decisions were made from a place of fatigue, not clarity. The project fell apart, not because of poor strategy, but because the leadership energy that fueled it was running on empty.

The Hidden Costs of Energy Leaks

Depleted energy doesn’t just affect you—it ripples through your team, your projects, and your results.

1. Reactive Decision-Making

When energy is depleted, you default to quick fixes. Big opportunities require clarity and focus—things that vanish when you’re running on fumes.

2. Team Burnout

Leadership energy is contagious. If you’re drained, your team mirrors it, leading to disengagement, mistakes, and turnover.

3. Missed Innovation

Creativity and problem-solving demand mental and intellectual bandwidth. Energy leaks drain that bandwidth, stifling the bold ideas that drive growth.

How to Shift From Leaks to Leadership Energy

Instead of focusing on plugging leaks, think about building sustainable energy. Here are three actionable ways to start:

• Prioritize recovery: Schedule thinking and rest time with the same urgency as meetings.
• Audit your patterns: Reflect on habits that drain or recharge your energy.
• Lead by example: Your energy sets the tone—model resilience and focus for your team.

It’s Time to Reclaim Your Leadership Energy

I’ve seen how small shifts in energy management can turn crisis into clarity. While researching leadership energy, I developed the STARpower Framework to help leaders move beyond survival mode and into momentum.

Here’s how it works:

• Supercharge: Activate your energy to fuel meaningful change.
• Transform: Break through limits holding your greatness back.
• Align: Unite your values and actions with purpose.
• Radiate: Channel your momentum into bold leadership.

Take the First Step

This is about more than avoiding burnout—it’s about stepping into leadership with unstoppable energy.

Ask yourself:

• How much are your energy leaks costing you?
• What’s one bold shift you can make today to reclaim your energy and clarity?
• How can you model resilience for your team?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you protect your energy as a leader? Share your strategies in the comments—I’m here to learn and support.