Traditional productivity advice emphasizes time management, but modern managers are recognizing that energy management is a more powerful lever. Employees who are mentally and physically drained will not perform well, regardless of how efficiently their schedules are planned.
Understanding Energy Management
Energy can be divided into four dimensions:
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Physical: Rest, nutrition, and exercise.
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Emotional: Positive work relationships and recognition.
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Mental: Focus and cognitive bandwidth.
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Purpose-driven: A sense of meaning in work.
How Managers Can Support Energy Management
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Design work rhythms – Encourage breaks and flexible scheduling to prevent burnout.
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Promote health initiatives – Subsidize gym memberships, provide healthy snacks, or offer wellness programs.
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Protect focus – Reduce unnecessary meetings and create blocks of uninterrupted time.
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Reconnect to purpose – Remind employees how their work contributes to larger goals.
The Competitive Advantage
Companies that prioritize energy management see higher productivity, lower turnover, and stronger employee loyalty. While time is finite, energy can be renewed and multiplied when managed effectively.
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