In the study of ‘Organizational Vitality’ there are four types of energy: physical, psychological, emotional and relational. But here’s the kicker, only one of them is renewable.
Physical energy is the body’s naturally occurring energy, produced by burning calories. Psychological energy is specifically to do with mental concentration and brain work. Emotional energy is all about experiencing intense feelings and is depleted by, for example, periods of intense excitement or sadness.
But ‘relational energy’, in contrast to the other three, is an energy that increases as it is exercised. This form of energy is enhanced and revitalised through positive interpersonal relationships. Relational energy is uplifting, invigorating and rejuvenating. In my research, I describe it as ‘life-giving’.
And where does ‘relational energy’ come from? People, that’s where.
So, cutting to the chase, physical, psychological and emotional energy are depleted during the day. The only way to renew your energy is to mix with people who exude relational energy.
At Art of Brilliance, we call them two-percenters. It’s shorthand language from my PhD – basically, if you plot people on a wellbeing/energy graph, there’s a small bunch of statistical outliers who inhabit the top end of the wellbeing spectrum. You’ll have a handful in your workplace – extra energy, enthusiasm, passion – they just seem to crack on with life, mostly with a smile.
It’s not that they’re immune from bad stuff happening to them. They live in exactly the same world as everyone else, but they seem to cope with it much better. The crucial thing about two-percenters is that they carry relational energy. I call it the flourishing effect – after interacting with a two-percenter, you feel uplifted.
Good news… we all have the flourishing effect factory fitted into our human DNA. Relational energy is available to all of us, you just need to be reminded how.
Welcome to Art of Brilliance. Relational energy is our thing. If you want to create a culture of two-percenters in your workplace, classroom or staffroom, please get in touch.
Life’s too short not to!