Motivation Monday: Unlocking Your Energy Advantage: Insights from Ricardo Sunderland for Fulfillment and Success

Breakfast Leadership Show

ABOUT THE BOOK: The Energy Advantage (Link to purchase)

How do you maximize your success and impact as a leader while maintaining your stamina and sanity? The answer doesn’t lie in simple “efficiency.” It’s not about making better use of your time and resources. It’s about understanding how energy works and how to tap into its power.

Many people live lives of intense and false emotional compartmentalization. For example, they strive to be one person in the corner office (invincible warrior) and another at the dinner table (sensitive spouse), and they struggle to keep those two lives from bleeding into and contradicting each other. But as it turns out, this takes tremendous energy and is almost always impossible. One person can’t be two different people.

So, how do you live an integrated life of fulfillment, purpose, and success? How do you create an alignment between your head, heart, and creative power that is in coherence with your true self? The answer is simple and complex: You must move from managing your time to mastering your energy.

For more than a decade and a half, Ricardo Sunderland has worked with the leaders of some of the world's largest and most recognizable companies. He has learned firsthand that mental and physical energy are no longer all that is needed for success for today's leaders—at all levels in their organizations. Today’s leaders must bring emotional and spiritual energy to their roles and create a space in which they and their team members feel safe to challenge each other, grow together, and thrive.

Given this significant leadership challenge, leaders must gain an energy advantage.

You will learn:

• What gives you energy?
• How to identify the energy blockers that are holding you back.
• Every situation presents a choice for you to unlock the transformational energy source within you.
• The path to gaining the energy advantage on seven distinct levels.

Quick recap Summary Ricardo's European Roadshow and Leadership Observations Michael and Ricardo talked about Ricardo's recent European roadshow, during which he met with 250 leaders in seven cities. Ricardo shared his observations about the current state of leadership, noting that leaders are increasingly focused on implementing abstract concepts in their workplaces. Michael introduced Ricardo as a partner at Egan Zender, a leadership advisory firm, and a coach to senior leaders of major global organizations. The discussion was set to continue for 15 to 25 minutes, with the potential for Ricardo to share links and other resources. Managing Energy for Optimal Productivity Ricardo and Michael discussed the importance of managing one's energy levels throughout the day for optimal productivity and well-being. Ricardo shared his insights on this topic, emphasizing understanding what activities give one energy. Michael agreed, sharing his experiences with energy management and highlighting the significance of this approach in addressing current organizational challenges. Both agreed on following one's energy levels for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Emotional Awareness for Productivity and Resiliency Ricardo discussed the importance of being aware of one's emotional state for optimal productivity and resiliency. He emphasized that understanding whether a day would be an 'energy giving' or 'energy taking' allows for intentional scheduling and increased clarity of mind. Ricardo also shared his recent experience launching a book and traveling to six European cities to meet with 250 leaders. He reported that the response was positive and curious about integrating the concepts. Integrating Personal and Professional Life for Success Ricardo and Michael discussed the importance of integrating personal and professional aspects of life to achieve fulfillment and success in the corporate world. They emphasized the need for individuals and organizations to understand their 'why' and focus on their unique strengths and energy levels. Michael shared his insights on creating an environment that allows individuals to be authentic and the benefits of understanding and managing one's energy levels. They also touched on the value of transparency and empathy in the workplace. Towards the end, they discussed the time-consuming nature of writing a book and the personal significance behind Ricardo's upcoming publication. Ricardo's Book Writing Journey and Purpose Ricardo shared his experience writing a book described as a labor of love. He emphasized the importance of connecting with one's purpose, following one's energy, and being intentional about one's desires. He also highlighted the need to accept the consequences of these desires. Michael agreed with Ricardo's insights and acknowledged the role of Harper Collins in the book's success. Leadership Book and Energy Management Michael and Ricardo discussed the impact of a leadership book and its unique approach to energy management in organizations. Michael highlighted the book's potential to create a positive ripple effect in society and businesses and its relevance for leaders managing constantly changing organizations. They also discussed the importance of creating a productive and engaging work environment where employees can operate in their sweet spot. Michael expressed optimism about the future, given leaders' open-mindedness and desire for improvement. Unexpected Reactions to Ricardo's Book Michael and Ricardo discussed the unexpected reactions to Ricardo's book, which focused on the concept of human energy and its leadership role. Ricardo shared that the book received positive feedback from large companies and was found practical and actionable. He emphasized the importance of incorporating spiritual energy into leadership to create a culture of vulnerability and strength. Michael agreed with Ricardo's views, highlighting the universal energy that connects all and the need to communicate with it for enlightenment. Ricardo's Book, Charity, and Remote Work Michael and Ricardo discussed Ricardo's new book, a game changer with all its proceeds donated to charity. Ricardo shared that he is promoting the book not for sales but to create a movement in partnership with his firm. Michael appreciated Ricardo's time and promised to share the show notes with his editor. They also discussed the impact of the pandemic on work and the adjustment to remote work settings.