Managing Energy, Not Just Time: A New Productivity Mindset for Leaders

We’re often told that the key to productivity is better time management. But time is a fixed resource—everyone has 24 hours. What really sets great managers apart is their ability to manage energy—both their own and their team’s.

Think of energy in four dimensions:

• Physical (rest, movement, nutrition)

• Emotional (positive relationships, stress levels)

• Mental (focus, attention span)

• Purposeful (sense of meaning in work)

A manager who understands these dynamics can:

• Schedule deep work when energy is high (not just when the calendar is free)

• Build breaks and buffer time into the team’s day

• Recognize and address burnout early

• Lead with empathy and awareness

Instead of asking, “How much can we fit into the day?”, high-performing managers ask:
“How do we sustain our best energy to do our best work?”

This shift not only boosts output—it also builds a culture of well-being and resilience.