In last week's post, the concept of energy was presented in the abstract. What are some more concrete principles in successful sport leadership? Energy, as we all know, is a finite resource, and needs to be managed in order for a team to be successful. The following includes Jim Loehr's 12 Primary Energy-Management Principles.
Principle 1:Growth follows energy investment. Energy sustains and nourishes, and each team member is needed to provide a skillful investment of energy, whether physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional. For example, a team practices good nutrition (physical), is present in strategy (mental), upholds team and personal values (spiritual), and maintains appropriate emotional control in training and competition (emotional).
Principle 2:Growth ceases when energy investment ceases. There has to be constant input in order to have output.
Principle 3: The best energy produces the most growth. This involves a balancing act, working on and through all energy channels. Finding a balance between the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the game is important.
Principle 4: Whatever receives energy gains strength.
Principle 5: The Four Energy Sources (see above) are required for full engagement.
Principle 6: Balance energy investments with energy deposits. Not too much expenditure and not enough recovery.
Principle 7: Push beyond the comfort zone. This is how we growth by testing limits and gradually progressing workloads.
Principle 8: Use positive rituals to manage energy. This can encourage the team to do the right thing at the right time. For example, a pre-game team meeting, visualizations, and reflection.
Principle 9: Energy is highly contagious. Really.
Principle 10:Negative energy outside the comfort zone. When adversity is present, primitive instincts may appear, and an effort may need to be made to turn the negative into positive. Effective leaders recognize this and affirm or direct the others. Note that negative energy can also arise from negative events outside the sporting context.
Principle 11: Self-Esteem deficiencies require energy. Good leaders strive to foster development of a healthy self-esteem in team members.
Principle 12 :Repeated energy investment makes a difference. Consistency, risk-taking, and adjustment can produce cumulative effects. Good leaders recognize the positive and negative energy and strive to maintain an effective balance. This often includes being in tune with other team members as to where each one is at both physically and mentally and providing any necessary motivation.
Loehr's model was developed in conjunction with other top professionals in business, law enforcement, and other fields in addition to athletics.
Source: Loehr, in Murphy 2003.
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