Why energy, not just strategy, defines great leadership

In leadership, strategy is often celebrated as the primary driver of results. But there is a quieter, often overlooked force that shapes outcomes before the first plan is implemented: energy.

The state a leader brings into a meeting, conversation, or decision-making process sets the tone for everything that follows. Even the most meticulously crafted strategies can falter if the collective energy of the team is fragmented, anxious, or disengaged. Conversely, a modest plan can exceed expectations when fuelled by trust, clarity, and commitment inspired by a leader’s presence.

During a major organisational restructure, one leadership team chose to focus less on presenting data-heavy charts and more on cultivating open communication, empathy, and confidence in the process. The result? Employees leaned into the change, and the transition was implemented more smoothly and quickly than expected. In this case, energy became the current that carried the strategy forward.

From ancient wisdom to modern boardrooms

Concepts like manifestation, quantum thinking, and energy management may sound unconventional in corporate settings, but they can be reframed to resonate with even the most traditional leadership teams.

The key is connecting them to measurable business outcomes. Quantum thinking, for example, aligns with neuroscience research on attention and possibility. Manifestation links closely to goal setting and visualisation techniques already used by elite athletes and high-performing executives (Taylor & Taylor, 1998; Weinberg & Gould, 2014). By framing these ideas as evidence-based advantages rather than belief systems, scepticism fades, and adoption becomes more likely.

Energy management is critical in an environment where leaders are expected to operate under intense and sustained pressure. Neuroscience has long shown that emotional and cognitive states influence decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity (Bechara, Damasio & Damasio, 2000). Leaders who consciously manage their own energy create conditions for clearer thinking and better organisational outcomes.

The breakthrough within

Leadership transformation does not always require a shift in strategy or systems. Sometimes the most meaningful change comes from within.

Consider the senior leader on the brink of burnout overwhelmed, reactive, and constantly firefighting. By reframing her mindset from “I’m always behind” to “I choose what gets my attention,” her decision-making improved, communication became sharper, and her team reported feeling more supported. The workload remained the same, but the shift in energy created a ripple effect that transformed the team’s effectiveness.

This illustrates a powerful truth: when a leader’s energy shifts, the organisation feels it.

Conscious influence versus conventional authority

In many organisations, leadership influence is still tied to position, hierarchy, or the ability to persuade through pressure. Conscious influence offers a different approach.

It is rooted in awareness, authenticity, and alignment recognising the impact of every word, tone, and gesture, and using that awareness to create conditions where people can thrive. Unlike control-based leadership, conscious influence builds trust and inspires voluntary commitment rather than compliance.

In practical terms, this means leaders are not just directing work but cultivating environments where people feel safe to innovate, contribute, and take ownership of results.

Energy mastery as a business imperative

The modern business environment is defined by constant change, competing demands, and widespread burnout (Gallup, 2023). High performance without energy mastery is like driving a high-speed vehicle without checking the fuel it works, until it doesn’t, and failure often comes at the most critical moments.

Leaders who understand and manage their own energy, while setting clear intentions, are better equipped to create resilient, agile teams. Without this, organisations risk losing top talent, making poor decisions under pressure, and missing strategic opportunities because they are too busy reacting instead of creating.

Energy mastery does not replace high performance; it sustains it. It is the foundation on which innovation, adaptability, and long-term success are built.

The new leadership edge

Strategy will always be essential. But in a world of unpredictable shifts and rapid change, the leaders who stand out are those who master the invisible force that fuels strategy, their energy.

They know that before a plan is rolled out, the state of mind and presence they bring to the table will determine whether it lands with resistance or momentum. They understand that influence built on trust outlasts authority built on position. They recognise that by mastering their own energy, they empower others to do the same.

The question isn’t whether strategy matters it’s whether your energy is strong enough to carry it.

So, before your next big meeting, project launch, or organisational shift, pause and ask yourself: is your strategy leading… or is it your energy?

References:

Gallup. (2023). State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report. Gallup, Inc.

Taylor, J., & Taylor, S. (1998). Imagery in Sport. Human Kinetics.

Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2014). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Human Kinetics.

Bechara, A., Damasio, H., & Damasio, A. R. (2000). Emotion, decision making and the orbitofrontal cortex. Cerebral Cortex, 10(3), 295–307.