A blood transfusion is a process of receiving blood products into your blood stream intravenously. In the past, whole blood was introduced into the patient’s blood stream. Today, typically, particular blood parts like red blood cells or plasma are injected as needed.
In non-technical terms, blood (or blood parts) is injected into someone’s blood stream when they are ill or in need those parts and are unable to create or sustain them themselves.
Why the biology lesson?
Because as leaders, we know that sometimes our teams and organizations are ill and in need of something that they cannot sustain or create themselves. Specifically, the diagnosis today is low energy and a lack of passion for the work required for success. When leaders see this symptom, perhaps the best remedy is a transfusion.
Thankfully, for the squeamish among us, this transfusion doesn’t require any needles or blood. But it does require effort and attention from the leader. How, then, can a leader transfuse new energy and passion into a team?
Here are five ways to move from diagnosis to cure.
The Five Ways
Keep the purpose present. People will create their own energy when they are jazzed about the meaning and purpose in their work. We all encounter setbacks, disappointments, and frustration. And all of these emotions sap, rather than build, positive energy. When the effort is viewed in the context of the purpose or reason why the effort is undertaken in the first place, energy is more quickly restored in challenging times.
Be an example. Perhaps the single best way to inject energy into your team is by your personal example. Look in the mirror. Are you providing the energy that you want to see in others? If not, this is the place to begin. Remember that your attitude is being monitored and mimicked. Do you like what you see in the mirror?
Help people tap their own. Let people know you expect it, and allow people to show and share their energy with others. Allow people’s natural passions and work styles to flourish. When we expect energy and allow it to flow, more of it will exist.
Make it a priority. Injecting energy into your team isn’t just something you do once a year at your holiday party or on a couple of special occasions. The best leaders are constantly monitoring team energy and are taking the steps needed to keep it in a positive and productive place.
Issue a challenge. For many people, issuing a challenging target or goal can unleash their energy and positive momentum. Some leaders have offered to do crazy things if the team met a goal. Others have offered rewards when challenging targets are met. Whether you tie something exciting, unusual, or interesting to overcoming a challenge, the challenge itself, when clearly tied to purpose, can expand and explode organizational energy.
These five important strategies, which can make a big difference, could be seen more as infusions rather than transfusions. Given that subtle difference, let’s describe two other true transfusions that, in the right situation, may be the perfect prescription for your team’s energy needs.
Add by subtracting. Let’s be clear, the energy and attitude people bring to their work is a part of their productivity and therefore can be a job expectation. If you have a person who, even after coaching and encouragement, still seems to brighten up the room… when they leave… perhaps they need to be gone. Author and friend Jon Gordon calls these people energy vampires and if they continue to suck the energy from your team, perhaps it is time to remove them or change their role to change their energy.
Hire for the right energy. When adding to your team, make the right energy a part of your selection criteria. Just like the right blood type must be transfused in order for it to be accepted, the right energy match is necessary when adding new people to the team.
Your case might not require all five (or seven) of these components or it might require all (or an on-going IV for a time). Regardless of which ideas you implement, know that it is a leader’s job to insure this happens. Without someone noticing and consciously making these injections into the organization, energy and passion can wane —to detriment of everyone.
photo credit @alviseni
Company Culture is SO important. I learned that when I was a corporate trainer for Red Robin. Develop Core Values and hold people accountable to them. If a team member doesn't align with your values; they should no loner get to be a team member. Negative attitudes and energy can not only bring people/vibes down, but they can prevent and block a positive energy and atmosphere in the first place!