Confused about your impact as a leader? You’ve gone through the business planning, created some compelling goals. But getting people around you to be energised about ideas, goals and ways forward feels like walking through mud. How do you lift yourself and the team into a more focused, collaborative, energised space?

Creating States

I call this ‘Creating States’ (‘state’ in this context meaning how someone is feeling and showing up at any given moment). First you need to create the right state in yourself – You are already brilliant at creating states. It’s just that you’ve been doing this unconsciously.

Think of how you woke up this morning – you were already creating states in those around you, without saying a single word – your partner, house mate, your dog/cat, children. Did you jump out of bed with enthusiasm, sing in the shower, enjoy choosing your clothes? Or did you groan, look at your phone, drag yourself out of bed and shower whilst your head was full of negative thoughts? Did you make a nice coffee, and one for others’ who might have been with you? Your energy, the way you walked, your attitude were all being silently communicated and noticed by whoever you woke up with. Your state is highly INFECTIOUS! Within minutes your state will have been ‘caught’ and mirrored by those around you.

What do you do as you arrive at your place of work? Do you walk in with positive energy, give eye contact to people, smile, greet them? Or walk slowly and heavily in, drop your things onto your desk, sigh and stare at your PC worrying about emails? Do you look forward to the day, having prepared well in advance for some great conversations? Or do you go from conversation to conversation, feeling anxious and frustrated? Do you take quality time to check in with people and really listen attentively? Do they feel seen, valued, heard?

What States do I Want to Create?

You are creating and unconsciously cascading your state to others all day long. When we realise how infectious our own state is, it makes you question: ‘What states do I WANT to create?’ This excites me! The state you set is going to cascade through the team/business. If I want to get things done, enjoy my day and move positively towards my goals – I can make a huge impact by working on and choosing my own state. I endlessly share this concept with my clients – it’s simple yet powerful.

Start with you

Do preparation the day before. Get good sleep. Establish a morning routine you enjoy (moving the body is fabulous to re-energise). Lift your energy and mood by thinking positively about the day. Wear clothes that make you feel good. Prepare food that nourishes you. Think about the states you want to cascade and project that energy in your movement, energy, eye contact, words. Make people feel good by using their name, some eye contact, being genuinely interested in what they have to say. Listening and not talking over others. Notice your tonality – does it convey positivity, ‘can-do’, inclusivity, confidence, non-judgement, compassion?

Take Regular Breaks to Re-Set

Take regular short breaks in between tasks. Sit and connect with your breathing – following in your minds eye a full in and out breath three or four times, noticing the sensations of breath in your body. This is a great re-energiser and clears the head as you move between tasks. Take a short walk outside if you can. Definitely walk away from your desk/place of work for short breaks regularly. Re-hydrate with plenty of water regularly.

Notice other people’s ‘states’ – have some compassion and understanding. When they notice you slowing down, listening, being supportive and positive – this unconsciously gives them ‘permission’ to do so too.

Pay attention to what’s going well, things that are good. Verbalise those when you can.

Summarise your day, progress made. You might want to plan for tomorrow. Then give yourself permission to finish your day and get home.

Letting go of your day is so powerful. I will write more about that later.

Let me know your thoughts? How has Creating States as a concept worked for you?  To discuss how we can re-focus and re-energise your team direct message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinesuggett/ or call on 07712 536718