Dimensions kicked off 2024 with Safe and Sound initiatives. Safe and Sound embraces many elements for organizational and individual safety, health, and well-being. The elements can vary depending on the needs and the culture of each organization.
In our January blog we asked you to consider 3 Brief Questions:
- Are your employees safe and sound? For example, hazards addressed, trained, resources available, resilient, managing energy, happy, content, practicing healthy behaviors?
- Do employees perceive that they are safe and sound?
- What does safe and sound mean to you? To your employees?
Now also consider:
- How full is your fuel tank?
- Are you and others in your organization on empty? Half empty? Or fully energized?
The answers will lead you to plan Safe and Sound initiatives that are beneficial for employees and the organization. We are convinced that all can benefit from managing energy levels and the benefits ripple both inside and outside the workplace! We have written and presented on energy management several times over the years and in December 2023 we mentioned this valuable initiative as part of our 2024 Health and Safety Themes to consider.
A recent HBR article emphasized the importance of not just managing time but managing energy throughout the day to maintain sufficient capacity and productivity, as well as to prevent burnout. The article focuses on the importance of taking mini breaks throughout the day and provides several tips on doing so. (Don’t Underestimate the Power of Small Breaks During a Busy Workday)
Many think of energy in physical terms such as the calories or fuel our bodies need. However, in addition to physical well-being such as nutrition, sleep, and exercise; energy management also requires social, emotional, psychological, intellectual, and financial well-being. Energy management means refueling or nourishing our bodies, minds, and spirits. So how we use those ‘mini breaks’ mentioned in the HBR article and how we incorporate other rituals and habits in our day-to-day activities are essential to achieve beneficial and energizing results.
Just like a vehicle, when we do not recharge our energy, we can end up running on empty. We become tired, less motivated and productive, are not thinking straight, make bad decisions, lack motivation, have nothing left for personal time, and can burnout.
It is essential to foster an organizational culture that understands the need to manage energy and cultivate energizing practices for senior leaders, managers, and employees. The outcomes?
- More Energy – Including at the End of the Day
- Better Leaders
- Increased Productivity
- Improved Health, Resilience, and Well-Being
- Less Negativity
- Positive Social Lives and Engagements
- Greater Collaboration and Camaraderie
- Higher Performance Teams
- Heightened Focus
- Enhanced Decision Making
- Reduced Burnout and Stress
Simple rituals and habits are all it takes for spectacular outcomes! And the outcomes are remarkable in just a short period of time. At one large pharmaceutical company, evaluation of their energy management initiative for leaders found that in addition to participants reporting improved health and energy levels, communication and camaraderie also improved. Employees rated their manager as better leaders and were practicing the same rituals to recharge energy during the day that were shared by their manager. There was a ripple effect!
Please contact us to discuss questions or ideas regarding energy management initiatives. We are happy to brainstorm ideas that may be the most beneficial and transformative for your organization, managers, and employee. The differences in operating on a full tank of energizing fuel are amazing!
Photos by Mark Chan and Marek Szturc on Unsplash