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Key points
- Some people have a problem with every solution.
- Energy-drainers can appear in different forms.
- Energy-drainers can create a toxic culture.
- There are actions you can take to turn energy-drainers into energy-producers.
Without turning around, Rachel could feel the room’s energy change. Suzie hovered over her doorway, and Rachel took a deep breath, ready for a mental battle. Suzie has a no-problem-too-small mentality, and every interaction with her is energy-draining. Every project, system, and person becomes a stumbling block and excuse and ultimately creates more work for Rachel. She wishes she could run and hide when she sees her in the shadows.
Sound familiar?
Conversely, when Katie walks into the room, everything seems possible. Ideas are bigger and more creative. Problems become launching pads for innovative ideas. The work is integrative and collaborative. Every interaction with her is energy-producing. Being around her makes you want to be and do better.
There is endless talk about work-life balance and rhythm. We need to consider how we manage our energy and who controls that thermostat. Do you surround yourself with people who drain or replenish your energy? If you have multiple energy vampires in your organization, they can quickly cause a hostile and toxic workplace culture.
Negativity is contagious, but so are positive vibes. We all have that person in the office who always sees the positive in every situation. People want to be around people like that. For years I had two identical signs at home and in my office that read “No Whining.” It made it clear that if you are here to vent, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Here are some common energy-drainers and suggestions on how to deal with their spiraling negativity.
The Complainer
The next time someone comes to you with a laundry list of complaints, ask them, “What would it look like if it worked?” Follow up with “What would it take to make that happen?” You’ve now turned the table and made the complainer into a person of action.
Busy Bee
Just because you are busy doesn’t mean you are getting things done. Help this busy bee become more productive by setting clear targets and deadlines. Break them down into digestible parts of what should be completed within specific time frames: day, week, or month. Ask them if they get distracted by emails, social media, or people coming to their door. If so, recommend that they silence notifications, block off time to check the non-urgent tasks, and put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on their door when doing deep work.
Low Performer
At the end of the day, you need to produce. Some benchmarks need to be met. If the employee is not meeting predetermined targets, figure out what needs to happen to help them meet those targets. If they can still not do so, it’s time for a difficult conversation about their role in the organization.
Names changed to protect anonymity.
