In his book “Energy Leadership: Transforming Your Workplace and Your Life from the Core,” Bruce D. Schneider [founder and CEO of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)] defines two types of energy: anabolic and catabolic. Anabolic energy is constructive, rejuvenating and sustainable, while catabolic energy is destructive and draining. Catabolic energy causes stress, burn-out, anger, and fear. People in a catabolic state complain, worry, and are full of self-doubt. They are emotionally attached to misfortune and are stuck in a problem instead of a solution mindset. Anabolic people are passionate, creative, and focused on working together to find opportunity in a challenge.
An individual’s energy level has an influence on his or her success. Leaders with positive energy receive a positive reaction to that energy. Just look at the results achieved by a partner that manages by empowerment versus one that manages by fear. Even though both partners might get the job done to the client’s satisfaction, the service team that is empowered will have a more positive and productive experience working on the project. Less time and energy will be wasted on defending ones actions, gossiping about injustices, and feeling underutilized.
Anabolic energy creates an environment where employees are engaged and work in collaboration with one another. In an anabolic culture challenges are not considered a negative. Instead, challenges are viewed as opportunities. Having an anabolic culture is a competitive advantage for a firm. New ideas are constantly being generated to improve client service, attract new clients, and retain employees.
A study conducted by Karen Buck, M.S., and Diana Galer, Ph.D., CPC, ACC, in 2011 entitled “Key Factors Reveled for Determining Success in Work and Life” showed that shifting from a catabolic to an anabolic mindset can increase an employee’s engagement at work by 51%. The study also determined that an employee’s satisfaction with his or her level work/life balance increased by 70% and working relationships by 44%.
Furthermore, the study determined that “highly anabolic” individuals, compared to “highly catabolic” individuals showed the following differential in their level of satisfaction in several areas: communication skills (230% higher), health and wellness (240% higher), work/life balance (290% higher), working relationships (320% higher), engagement at work (340% higher), productivity (420% higher), time management (520% higher), leadership ability (680% higher), and energy (2040% higher).