What is your energy saying about you?

I was walking downtown earlier today near a government building where busy, executive types are often coming and going, and I was completely struck by two individuals coming out of the building. The first burst through the metal double-doors with a brisk pace, eyes set dead ahead, squared shoulders. Their body language practically yelled 'PURPOSE.'

The second individual came out slowly, eyes down, shoulders hunched. I watched as they never made eye contact with the anything off the ground. I thought about each of these individuals standing in front of a room and delivering a message, asking a team to follow them, and which person I would be more likely to follow before they uttered a word.

Every time you get up in front of someone that you want to follow you, your energy should reach them far before you open your mouth.

In fairness, we all have terrible days. There are moments when we cannot muster the energy to look others in the eye, but we also should understand the untold power of our nonverbal communication and what the energy we put out into the world says to others about our capacity, whether justified or not. We never get a second chance to make a first impression.

As leaders, we have to convince those who are on our teams, in our organizations and in our groups of our why. They need to believe that if we ask them to do something, it's for a good reason, and it's something they can stand behind. If your energy tells a very different story - that you don't believe in what you are asking them to do, or you that you don't believe you have the authority to ask in the first place - you are going to lose people.

I am not asking you to put on a persona that isn't authentic to you. If you aren't a loud, gregarious person by nature, there's no point pretending to be that way in your professional life. I am suggesting that every time you get up in front of someone that you want to follow you, your energy should reach them far before you open your mouth. Present yourself as if you know that what you are suggesting will work, and watch your followers come along for the journey.

The more you practice putting elevated energy out into the world, the more you will see alignment, and the people and opportunities you attract will begin to change with you.