Does it ever feel like the way we talk about business totally misses the point?
I think so. Especially when the conversation turns into a tug-of-war between “people” and “business,” as if they’re separate things. That old idea—that a business can thrive while sidelining the very people powering it—isn’t just outdated. It’s nonsense.
It’s Time for a New Way to Think About Value Creation
We’re standing at a big inflection point. One that asks us to reconsider how we define value—and more importantly, what drives it.
Here’s the shift: What if the true engine of business success isn’t strategy or capital… but people energy?
Yep. People energy. The raw, creative, problem-solving, fire-in-the-belly drive that individuals bring when they’re truly engaged. When we stop seeing people as resources to manage and start seeing them as sources of energy to unleash, we unlock growth that’s not just faster—but deeper, stickier, and more sustainable.
Try this reframe on: A business is the conversion of people energy into economic value. Once you see it that way, it’s hard to unsee.
What is People Energy, Anyway?
Good question. I’ve had leaders raise an eyebrow at this one—“People energy? Sounds fluffy.”
But it’s anything but. People energy is the vitality, momentum, and creative spark that shows up when individuals are working in alignment with their strengths and values. It’s the pulse of your organization. Ignore it, and everything feels harder than it should. Feed it, and the possibilities expand.
We already know what people energy is. We talk about energy in the room. We talk about feeling energized or drained. It’s the heartbeat of your team. It’s what gets hard things done and makes the impossible look… well, possible.
Start with One: Match People to Their Genius
Unleashing people energy starts with a simple (but underpracticed) idea: put people where they shine.
When someone’s work aligns with their zone of genius, they don’t just perform better—they light up. Their energy multiplies, and it spreads. You get ripple effects: more innovation, more motivation, more initiative.
It’s not woo. It’s physics. (Okay, maybe some psychology, too.)
Unifying Purpose: The Ultimate Team Energizer
If aligning people with their strengths is the first layer, shared purpose is the multiplier.
A crisp, compelling mission doesn’t just “inspire.” It coordinates. It aligns. It gets everyone pointing in the same direction, making decisions faster and with more confidence. You get momentum.
And when purpose is real—lived, not just laminated on a wall—it recharges people. It reminds them that what they’re doing matters. Really matters.
Operational Guardrails = Direction for the Energy
People energy is potent. But without some structure, it can become chaos.
Think of it like this: You’ve got rocket fuel. You don’t just pour it on the ground. You funnel it into something with a purpose. That’s what operational guardrails do—they shape and direct energy so it goes toward the mission, not sideways into confusion or burnout.
Fuel Your Team’s People Energy With Smart Development
People energy doesn’t just show up—it grows. If you nurture it. Allow it.
When you invest in the right kind of development (the kind that’s practical, timely, and actually shifts behavior), you get more people energy. And people feel seen. They get unstuck. And suddenly, that “meh” becomes a motivated “let’s go.”
It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Just thoughtful. Targeted. Honest about what’s really needed.
Leadership is a Catalyst, Not a Bottleneck
Here’s the deal: leaders don’t create people energy—but they sure can block it or multiply it.
The best leaders don’t just manage. They activate. They create clarity, safety, and stretch. They connect individual contributions to collective purpose. They unleash and harness. It’s both/and.
This isn’t about charisma or heroic leadership. It’s about tuning in and turning on the energy that’s already there.
Beyond the Walls: Energy Spills Over
Here’s the juicy part. When your organization taps into and harnesses people energy well, the impact doesn’t stop at your four walls.
You become a beacon. A magnet. A model for others to emulate.
Other companies notice. People start asking what you’re doing differently. And it ripples out—affecting communities, industries, maybe even the world a bit.
It’s contagious. And in this case, that’s a good thing.
New Language Takes Practice
I’ve learned that “people energy” doesn’t always land right away. That’s okay.
Sometimes it helps to warm people up with familiar phrases like “energizing talent” or “the energy of the team.” That’s the gateway. Before long, people get it. They start feeling it.
Want a practical example? Most folks obsess over time management. I flip that into energy management. I’ve learned that I don’t want to cram every hour with work—I want to match the right tasks to the right flow. Writing first thing in the morning? Yes. Email triage later in the day? You bet.
It’s not about squeezing more in. It’s about letting the energy lead. The people energy.
The Bottom Line
This manifesto is an invitation. A nudge. A nudge toward something deeper, something truer.
What if we stopped asking, “How do I get the most out of my people?” and started asking, “How do I unleash what’s already there?”
That’s the shift. That’s the game.
Because the future of business isn’t just about scale. It’s about resonance. Alignment. Energy.
Let’s build businesses where people energy is the spark, the engine, and the legacy.