Great reminders!! Seeing this happen right before my eyes with my classroom staff. It is so true that showing deep empathy drops the defenses and is replaced with positive energy. We never know how others will be affected by what is said or viewed, because of various background and experiences, so it is always good to stay on top of monitoring the energy in the environment so that misunderstandings can be addressed.

Among many posts that have a great message, this might be the best one I’ve read… You put your best energy insight last!!! We all have choices – and the most important is to choose action – that certainly won’t be the perfect choice, can’t be… But self-assessment will suggest refinements leading to better success and more energy. And the spiral continues in a positive direction!!!

Dan,
Most difficult task to accomplish is to maintain the positive energy to become constant everyday! Feeling refreshed after a project is tough day in day out, some people just can do this constantly in a orderly fashion, while others bare the burden of the task endlessly seeing no end insight. As stated above action, fulfillment, self assessment all good items.

Managing/monitoring your own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy is a subject near and dear to me. It is easier to ignite and fuel others when you know how to do so for yourself. As you and Covey say, empathy for self and others decreases defensiveness and leads to positive, creative solutions. Practice and celebrate the behaviors you want in yourself and celebrate the accomplishments/wins/behaviors you want in others.

Sincere empathy takes energy, but it’s so worth it to step outside of yourself and to really care about how someone thinks and feels. Although I haven’t been in practice for several years now, I think my nursing training has been a tremendous asset in the work I do now, for just that reason. The trust that people have in you when you’ve taken the time to really care–what an energizing gift that can be for everyone.

Second that (practically all of the above). Come to the workplace full of positive energy – and watch others’ attitude & behavior undergo a dramatic change. Turn up with a “hate y’all” expression – and be ready to spend the day patching things up…