🧭 How leaders control the energy in the room

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Here’s where we are headed today:

• Tim Kight on energy⚡

• How leaders control the energy in the room 🥇

• Favorite posts I found this week 🏆

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• The Secrets of MJ from Michael Jordan: The Life (Saturday)

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Let’s dive in…

How leaders control the energy in the room

The best leaders don’t just do what they’re asked of - they control the energy in the room.

• If you bring energy, focus, and intensity, your team will follow.

• If you bring hesitation, frustration, or negativity, that spreads just as fast.

Why energy matters in leadership

A team follows the tone you set. People follow what you do and your example more than anything you say.

Leaders don’t wait for energy. They create it.

You’re either affecting someone or being affected. Just look at the quote from Nick Saban below on energy vampires:

Why energy works this way

Your brain is wired to mirror the emotions and behaviors of the people around you. It’s a survival mechanism - our ancestors relied on reading group emotions to detect danger, find safety, and stay connected. This is why:

• A stressed-out coach makes their team tense.

• A confident leader makes others secure.

• A high energy teammate makes everyone move faster.

It’s called emotional contagion, and it happens whether you notice it or not.

Most teams notice that negativity spreads much faster than positivity.

Think about it…

When one teammate starts sulking or complaining, what happens? The whole team starts to feel it. When a leader brings energy, the team follows.

But it goes both ways. You’re also being influenced. If you surround yourself with negativity, you absorb it. If you consume drama, complaining, or excuses, it will affect how you think.

This is why what you consume, who you surround yourself with, and who you look up to have such a drastic impact on your mindset, performance, and overall success.

You are responsible for the energy you bring AND the energy you absorb.

Choose to be a fountain, not a drain

Every team, locker room, and workplace has two types of people—fountains and drains.

Fountains bring energy, optimism, and solutions. They fuel momentum, lift others up, and create an environment where people want to give their best. Drains, on the other hand, sap energy with negativity, excuses, and complaints. They slow the team down, shift focus to problems instead of solutions, and create a culture of frustration rather than progress. Fountains don’t just bring energy—they sustain it. Here’s how:

• They focus on solutions, not problems – Instead of dwelling on mistakes, they ask, How do we fix it?

• They elevate those around them – Championship teams don’t just have great players, they have players who bring out the best in others.

• They set the standard before adversity hits – Energy is easy when things are going well. True leaders bring it when the team needs it most.

• They hold others accountable – A winning culture is built by those who refuse to let energy slip, even when no one is watching.

Final thoughts: make it actionable

You are responsible for the energy you bring and the energy you absorb. So how can you take control?

• Audit your environment - What are you consuming daily? Who gives you energy? Who drains it? Make adjustments.

• Be the spark - Whether it’s practice, a huddle, or a game, don’t wait for someone else to bring the energy—set the tone.

• Win the first five minutes - The way you start a workout, meeting, or drill determines everything. Attack it.

• Control your self-talk - Negative self-talk drains energy. Flip it.

• Make energy a standard - The best teams don’t hope for energy. They expect it. Set the bar high and hold each other accountable.

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, your energy matters.

It sets the tone. It affects the people around you. It determines your success.

You can either let the energy control you, or you can control it.

So ask yourself—what kind of energy are you putting out today?

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