By Loretta V. Bush, President & CEO, Authority Health & Authority Health Centers
For years, leaders have been told that time management is the key to success. We structure our days around competing priorities, while trying to make the most of our time. And I’ve learned that managing time is only part of the equation. Energy is the currency that determines whether we lead well or simply get through the day.
The demands of executive leadership have never been greater. Leaders today are expected to make high-stakes decisions, guide teams through uncertainty, while sustaining performance through constant change. Experience and expertise are essential, but long-term success also depends on the habits that support how we lead.
Energy management is about becoming more self-aware and using the autonomy we do have more wisely. If you know you’re sharper and more focused earlier in the day, and you have the option of scheduling an important meeting at 10 a.m. instead of 4 p.m., that knowledge should shape your calendar, not just sit in the back of your mind.
Part of effective leadership is being thoughtful about where you say yes. There will always be requests competing for your attention. Effective leadership is knowing what needs your
attention now, what can wait, and when to empower a capable team member to take the lead.
For me, that means making time to reflect and keeping physical health a priority because the body keeps score. These simple choices help preserve the energy I need to lead well.
We’re often so focused on getting things done that we overlook the energy it takes to do them well. A calendar can manage meetings and deadlines, but it can’t measure the energy it takes to show up focused and fully present.
Energy management is about how we prepare ourselves to meet the demands of leadership and having what it takes to successfully navigate whatever the day brings.