140. From Victim to Creator: A Deep Dive into the book, Energy Leadership, by Bruce D Schneider

[00:00:09] Welcome to Episode 140, which is a girl take the lead sound bite. And that's a shorter episode that builds on a topic that we've covered like our episode today or Quick Inspiration. And I'm your host, Yolanda Canny.

[00:00:22] In our previous episode, we explored the seven levels of energy leadership with Brandy Mabra. She went over the basics with us and I dug into the book, Energy Leadership, the seven level framework for mastery in life and business

[00:00:38] by Bruce D Schneider, who is founder of IPEC, the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. In case you missed Brandy's episode, here's a little review of what she told us.

[00:00:52] There are two energy types. Anabolic energy we build upon to grow stronger and catabolic energy that breaks things apart. We can accomplish life in both energies, but one looks very different from the other.

[00:01:08] The first two levels of the ELI, which is the Energy Leadership Index, scale operates on catabolic energy and are fueled by feelings of fear, guilt, self pity and anger to name a few. Levels three through seven start utilizing the anabolic energy, which increases positivity as you shift up.

[00:01:33] Anabolic energy shows us to see more opportunity, decrease our stress, increase our potential for success, as well as inspire and motivate others. It is constructive and fuels creativity. And just as a reminder, here are the energy levels Brandy outlined for us. Level one victim.

[00:01:57] Level two, anger, combativeness. Level three, rationalizing. Level four, care, compassion. Level five, reconciliation. Level six, intuition and level seven, complete passion for all aspects of life. It's a oneness.

[00:02:20] The ELI is an assessment you take that is research backed and provides insights into how we show up in various aspects of our life. The assessment measures our ability to lead ourselves and others to take positive, productive and sustainable action.

[00:02:40] One of the sites I found researching the topic said that quote, once you understand the levels and where you show up in the levels. You can use the ELI assessment to help set goals for yourself and better understand your perspective and energy.

[00:03:01] It's also stated that the first thing the assessment results do is provide an unbiased reflection of our perceptions, attitudes and behaviors. Our response to stress may be surprising at first.

[00:03:17] It is suggested we go in with an open mind as we review the seven levels and where our perspective might be playing in each of these. Whether there's no good or bad here, just where we're showing up right now in life.

[00:03:32] Beating ourselves up about where we would rather be does not help. See our results as an opportunity to grow a perspective increase our energy and opportunities around us. So, okay, after that I was pumped. I dug in. I took the assessment. And here's what I found.

[00:03:54] My normal profile was level three. The rationalizing level, everything's fine. Next I was level six intuition and then level five reconciliation and close to that was level seven witness. I thought this totally resonated with where I think I am in my life right now. But there's more.

[00:04:19] Remember the site said our response to stress may be surprising at first. And boy was it ever. I was level one victim, level three rationalization level five reconciliation and level two anger. So fair amount of catabolic energy when I get under stress.

[00:04:43] But then there's the end ballack there too so I have to seek a solution. So here's an excerpt from the book in a section that asks, are you a victim quote chances are you don't think of yourself that way.

[00:04:58] Most people think of a victim as someone who is being physically or verbally abused, perhaps someone that suffered as a result of a crime. Let's ask it another way. Do you have any victim energy. You may be surprised at the true answer.

[00:05:17] What most people don't know is that there is level one victim energy in everyone. When your thoughts, beliefs, emotions and perceptions work against don't serve you well, or stop you from doing something.

[00:05:34] Then you are being a victim to those thoughts, feelings or circumstances, the things that hold this back. So the other energies that showed up were level three and five. In level three, you're willing to work with people you like and tolerate those you don't resulting in cooperation.

[00:05:58] Cooperation happens by releasing everything that blocks it. Once we let go of fear, worry guilt and anger. What is left is energy that creates instead of destroys. And level five is associated with the core belief of reconciliation, specifically reconciling differences instead of identifying and focusing on them.

[00:06:25] At this level, we view things less frequently as good or bad, or as right or wrong. Things just are, and we're less afraid. We can feel inner peace, which leads to acceptance. And I also had six, which is about synthesis.

[00:06:47] It's the process of combining separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole and you experience both joy and wisdom. Schneider makes the point that unlike happiness, which can be fleeting, joy is permanent. No matter whatever else you may feel at this level.

[00:07:09] At level six, you might feel sorrow, for example, but simultaneously you're still at a level where you can experience joy. It reminds me of the bittersweet episodes Rebecca Cohen and I did exploring Susan Cain's book.

[00:07:27] Schneider goes on to say wisdom is based on a deep and profound sense of knowing linked to your intuition. When you use your intuition, you tap into your true genius. Isn't that beautifully said? Oh yeah. A little bit about level seven.

[00:07:49] It's when we're flooded with absolute passion for our lives experiences and are able to tap into our talent for being deeply creative. At this level, we touch the core of who we truly are. We have the potential to manifest almost anything into our lives in an instant.

[00:08:10] And most importantly, at this level, we are able to consciously use any of the lower levels to our benefit. As I consider this, I know I saw my lower levels little judgy, but they're informing something about myself that could be an opportunity to work on.

[00:08:34] I can embrace that part of me that can feel like a victim of my circumstances and accept that it's where I go when I'm stressed, and I've learned to protect, which is, I think a normal reaction.

[00:08:47] I can be grateful for that part of me that helped me survive. Give her a hug and reassure her that we can handle whatever the stressor is. We got this is what I tell my little Yoli, and she quietly says, oh good.

[00:09:05] Another thing I liked about what Schneider stated was that normal. Does it mean necessary? We can try to accept what is going on right now and know that we're engaged in a process to help change our thinking about quote bad situations, and what they really mean.

[00:09:27] Kind of like what I was saying about seeing myself as a victim and then talking it out with myself. Schneider offers the following five energetic principles that served as a foundation for the book. I think you'll find them interesting. One, life offers neither problem or challenges, only opportunities.

[00:09:52] I know that kind of sounds a little woo woo but he says it goes deeper than unvarnished positive thinking, which I'll honestly say was my first reaction. He says this problems and challenges are creations of a fear based perspective on life.

[00:10:09] And when we transcend the fear, what remains is opportunity. Number two, the answers to all our questions lie within every one of us is greater and wiser than we appear to be.

[00:10:26] Number three, each moment describes who we are and gives us the opportunity to decide if that's who we want to be. Number four, the greatest freedom is freedom of choice. Number five, detached involvement is the highest form of consciousness.

[00:10:51] And my first reaction to this principle is wow, that's a little cold. But which Schneider offers is the opportunity to fully empathize and emotionally engage in life situations. And yet at the same time, detach from the judgment, the story we see and the outcome.

[00:11:11] And that's still a work in progress when it comes to the attachment. I am all there open heart motions on the sleeve everything but I'm working on it.

[00:11:23] One of the things that brandy said a few times in our episode was that we always have choice and it was one of the principles right. And that's where we always have options and possibilities.

[00:11:35] Most of us see things from only one perspective, ours, and this energy leadership offers a seven perspectives for viewing anything. And with that comes freedom.

[00:11:49] In the context of energy leadership, the concept of choice refers to the understanding that we have power to choose our responses, attitudes and perspectives in any given situation. And it emphasizes that the idea that our thoughts, emotions and actions are choices we may consciously or unconsciously.

[00:12:12] And these choices significantly impact our overall energy and leadership effectiveness. There are choices aligned with each level and by becoming aware of one's choices and intentionally shifting to higher energy levels. And we can lead more effectively improve our relationships and have a greater sense of fulfillment.

[00:12:35] Energy leadership encourages individuals to take ownership of their thoughts, feelings, actions, beliefs and foster proactive and empowered approaches to leadership. And that sounds really good to me. I think this is a good place to end our episode today.

[00:12:54] I'll have in the show notes where you can learn more about the ELI assessment. And there's so much more in Schneider's book about teams and energies of teams, so you might want to be interested in checking those out.

[00:13:09] Next week, I'm going to continue to dig into energy a bit more. There's a lot of great people talking about it, including Dr. Joe D'Astenza in his book, Becoming Supernatural. And I'd like to share the research I found on the topic. It's such a juicy one.

[00:13:28] So please join me again and thanks for being here. Talk to you soon. Bye.