Are You an Energy Thief?
At Chameleon Skills, we often talk about individuals and organisations as ecosystems.
But what does that really mean?
An ecosystem is a living system where everything is connected. Plants, animals, microorganisms, sunlight, water and soil all interact in a constant exchange of energy. When the balance is right, the system thrives. When one part is depleted or distressed, the impact is felt everywhere.
Human systems work in much the same way.
John Donne famously wrote,
“No man is an island.”
Whether we realise it or not, we are part of multiple ecosystems every day – our teams, families, organisations and communities. Our energy doesn’t stay contained within us. It flows outward and shapes the environment around us.
Healthy organisational ecosystems are built on aligned effort, shared purpose and mutual contribution. Targets and strategies are usually designed with the assumption that everyone will play their part. When the system is energised, progress feels natural.
But when energy drops, the system starts to strain.
External factors will always exist – market shifts, political decisions, economic pressures. Good organisations keep an eye on these and adapt where they can. Yet the bigger energy leaks often come from inside the system.
You can have highly skilled, intelligent people who are simply not switched on. Not because they lack capability, but because their energy is depleted.
Overwork, disengagement, mistrust, lack of meaning, poor sleep, unresolved tension – all of these quietly drain the system. And when individuals run low, they start drawing energy from others instead of contributing to the whole.
This is where the uncomfortable question arises:
Are you an energy source, or an energy thief?
When we are depleted, we often don’t notice the effect we have on others. Conversations become heavier. Meetings feel harder. The emotional tone of the team drops.
Energy is contagious – for better or worse.
You probably know someone whose constant complaining drains the room. But the harder question is this:
What happens to your ecosystem when you are low on energy?
- Do people avoid spending time with you?
- Does your team dread your meetings?
- Do you offload your frustrations onto others without noticing the cost?
- Do you expect constant availability from your people?
- Do you know what energises your team, or only what they must deliver?
If any of these feel familiar, it may be time to pause and reflect.
You cannot steal energy from yourself every day and expect to refuel overnight. Sustainable energy requires conscious choices. Rest, connection, meaning, movement, reflection – different people recharge in different ways. The responsibility is to know what works for you.
Because in every ecosystem, energy flows both ways.
When you take care of your own energy, you become a contributor to the system. You bring clarity, steadiness and presence. You create conditions where others can thrive.
And that is how healthy ecosystems grow.
Reflection question:
What is one small change you could make this week to become more of an energy source in your team?
If you’d like a space to reflect on your leadership energy and its impact on your ecosystem, we’d be happy to connect.
You can book a 45-minute check-in with us at info@chameleonskills.com or via our website.
