Sustained Energy to Perform

26 November 2025|blog leadership psychology-hr

I was attracted to an article in my HR Professional body, AHRI, monthly magazine recently. It was reported that Executives and Senior Managers are stepping down, trading power and privilege for peace and privacy. Firstly, that isn’t a bad option, and I don’t blame them, but is leadership really about power and privilege? I would find that in itself exhausting (and definitely not allowing me to stay in flow and protect my energy). Aren’t Senior roles more about being visionary, empowering, collaborating, creativity and authentic? These things are enriching to me and maintains the flow of my energy at least.

In the article it provides an example of an Executive that resigned and is now in a thriving start up with 3 staff and a daily surf. Sounds to me that he is enjoying life, living life and most likely with purpose. In today’s world, mental health and wellbeing are more in people’s awareness. They are therefore more cautious and protective of their mental health, which they should be.

If there is purpose though, there is endless energy, and I can relate to that. I love my work; I love helping businesses with what I do and have worked long and hard on the business and in my work. Colleagues used to ask where I got my energy from. With 3 young children at the time, a husband, elderly parents, a home and all the responsibilities that come with all of that, I actually didn’t know where I got the energy from. But I knew I loved doing what I was doing and that’s all that mattered. As a mentor of mine would say, I was ‘juiced’ up. Now however I know, it is my purpose and that gives me flow and provides endless energy and passion.

I therefore believe it is about making sure that there is of course good HR practices in the business but the people in the business are living their purpose. Are they in the right role to have the endless energy to do what they need to do, in whatever role and whatever level in the organisation that is. It’s important for everyone, not just Executives and Senior Managers. When I talk about endless energy, that is not to say I am not an advocate of work / life balance because I absolutely am, hence starting my business and providing the same flexibility for my team.

I think f you love what you do, have purpose in doing what you do there is endless supply of energy to do it and succeed at it. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects for energy are all important and yes, deep breathing, exercise, walking, positivity and time for family life are all important, and probably does help, but it’s not enough. The spiritual aspect is the most important I think; living values and living purpose. This allows individuals to authentically perform and not do things out of obligation or trying to please but rather doing it because they love it, its just what they do, they are of service and get pleasure from doing so.

Do you or your leaders and team love their jobs and are there for the right reasons, living their purpose and therefore have endless supply of energy and therefore staying in flow?

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Leisa Messer BBus(HRM); GradDipIR; FCPHR
Managing Director | HR Strategist
leisa.messer@hrbd.com.au
07 3890 2066
hrbd.com.au