Energy Intelligence: The Future of Leadership Wellbeing
- Anja Locke
- Nov 24
- 3 min read
Every organisation is talking about wellness in the workplace, but far fewer are addressing the real issue underneath it: sustained energy.
As workplaces navigate restructures, shifting expectations, labour shortages and constant transformation, traditional wellbeing initiatives (yoga classes, fruit bowls, EAP posters) simply don’t touch the root cause of stress and disengagement. People aren’t just tired; they are energy-depleted across multiple dimensions.
The conversation about employee performance is changing. It’s no longer just about capability or resilience; it’s about energy and how we think, feel, create, engage and connect to our purpose. These factors shape not only our productivity but also our wellbeing and long-term sustainability at work.
What is Energy Intelligence?
Energy Intelligence (EQi) brings together five interrelated domains that influence how we show up every day: cognitive energy, purposeful energy, emotional energy, creative energy and values-focused energy. When these align, individuals and teams operate with clarity, confidence and momentum. When any domain is depleted, we don’t just feel different; we also behave differently, and this can have an impact on a team.
So, how does low energy show up in the workplace?
Low cognitive energy leads to reduced clarity, focus and decision-making. People become reactive instead of strategic.
Low purposeful energy appears when someone loses sight of the “why” behind their work and shifts from contribution to compliance.
Low emotional energy affects how people relate to others, express themselves and respond to pressure.
Low creative energy arises during stressful periods and when people stop thinking expansively and move into survival mode.
Low values-focused energy signals a misalignment between personal values and organisational actions. This is the quiet engine behind “quiet quitting” . Trust diminishes, decisions are questioned, and people feel morally or ethically uncomfortable.
What is the leadership wake-up call?
Leaders, take note: all these signs show up long before performance drops, which makes them critical for prevention. In the pressure to deliver financial outcomes, leaders can unintentionally overlook the real heart of leadership, which is safeguarding the energy and wellbeing of their people.
The “health check” of a team isn’t found on a financial dashboard; it’s revealed in everyday conversations. A moment of genuine presence, empathy or support can completely shift someone’s experience at work. Equally, a rushed comment or dismissive tone can shut someone down in seconds.
A leader’s influence is powerful, personal and constant. And without intentional energy intelligence, that same influence can become the catalyst for a disconnected, fatigued or dysfunctional team.
If you are a leader, either formally or informally, now is the time to elevate your self-awareness and strengthen your own energy intelligence.
It begins with 3 simple commitments:
1. Check your own energy first.
Ask yourself: Which domain feels depleted today? How might that be influencing my behaviour or decision-making?
2. Tune into early signals within your team.
Look for fatigue, withdrawal, reactivity or misalignment. These signs appear before performance issues.
3. Lead with presence, not pressure.
Your tone, curiosity, empathy and consistency are your most powerful leadership tools. Use them to drive engagement, not fear or urgency.
Wellness at work isn’t achieved through programs; it’s achieved through leadership behaviours. When leaders take responsibility for the energy they project, the clarity they create and the culture they shape, everything changes. Check your own energy, know your impact, and lead in a way that fuels others. That is how Energy Intelligence becomes a competitive advantage.
If you want recruitment that proteqts your culture and strengthens performance, contact our Director, Dani Easterbrook. She’ll guide you to the right talent, at the right time.
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