Victoria Scott here to talk about managing work stress. Let's start with understanding what stress does to us.
This chart by Bruce D. Schneider shows the seven levels of energy. This chart is the basis of the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) assessment that one of my clients called their favorite part of working with me.
It's also a lot to take in so let's look at this simplified version.
We all have within us seven levels of energy in various proportions at any given time based on the situation that we're in, how we perceive it, and how we respond to it. We all have one primary energy when we're not under stress. For most of my clients, that's level 3, 4, or 5.
At level 3, we take responsibility, we forgive others, we rationalize and tolerate. We make the best of things so we can move forward with the task at hand.
At work, sometimes level 3 is the best we can expect.
At level 4, we have deep concern and compassion for others and we can lend that to building teamwork and connection. We feel called to serve, to help.
At level 5, we stop judging things as good or bad. We see everything is an opportunity and everyone as full of potential.
We are true collaborators and inspire others.
Great leaders have a lot of this type of energy.
From level 5, we can sometimes tap into level 6 and access intuition and creativity to dream up new innovations. We can even occasionally access level 7.
But when we're under stress, we tend to fall from our usual energy into energy levels 1 and 2.
At level 2, we judge everything through the lens of conflict. Everything is black or white, good or bad. There is no middle, no gray.
All of the choices that we can access when we're at higher energy levels disappear and we are limited. There is a need to fight, to defend, to be right. We feel anger, entitlement, frustration, resistance.
Level 2 is the dominant energy at most workplaces.
Leaders at level 2 tend to manage by authority and intimidation and focus on what is wrong
and who's to blame.
Level 1 is victim energy because the perception is that we're powerless. We feel defeat, overwhelm, guilt, doubt. We tend to withdraw and avoid.
None of the energies are good or bad, right or wrong, but experiencing levels 1 and 2 long-term can be unhealthy and draining, and can eventually lead to burnout.
I'm curious, what do you think is your primary energy normally versus when you're stressed?
Comment below or message me privately to share.
Stay tuned for my next message.
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