Field Note: Work Energy Framework—The Beginning
Individual > Relational > Organizational
We’ve been talking about Work Energy
What it is.
How it moves.
How it depletes.
How it builds.
And something becomes clear in these conversations:
Energy doesn’t stop at the individual.
It moves between us.
In conversations.
In expectations.
In the space between what is said and what is felt.
This is:
Relational Energy
It’s why:
· One meeting drains you
· Another expands you
· And some relationships feel heavy, even when nothing is “wrong”
And It’s shaped by something larger.
Because relationships don’t exist in isolation.
They are influenced by:
· Systems
· Leadership behaviors
· Cultural norms (spoken and unspoken)
This is:
Organizational Energy
The Framework
Individual > Relational > Organizational
Not separate layers.
But connected flows of energy:
· The individual experiences energy
· Relationships transmit energy
· Systems structure energy
Each influencing the other.
Each shaping what’s possible.
A simple way to orient to energy at work.
Where it begins (individual), how it moves (relational), and how it’s shaped (organizational). Capacity determines how we engage at each level.
Why this matters
Most approaches stop too soon.
They focus on the individual:
· Manage your time
· Build your resilience
· Take care of yourself
But
You can’t self-regulate your way out of a misaligned system.
And you can’t shift a system without understanding the energy moving through the people within it.
A Place to Begin
Before changing anything—
Orient—Where is your energy right now?
Decision Map: Noticing your Capacity
Low Capacity
· Energy feels tight, heavy, or depleted
· Focus is narrow or scattered
· Priority: Stabilize
o Breathe
o Pause
o Reduce input
Medium Capacity
· Energy is available but inconsistent
· Some clarity, some friction
· Priority: regulate
o Clarify one next step
o Adjust effort
o Set boundary
Clear Capacity
· Energy feels steady and directed
· Thinking is open and responsive
· Priority: engage
o Take aligned action
o Have the conversation
o Move something forward
Why start here
Because you don’t need to map your whole system everyday.
You just need a point of entry.
And this is it:
Awareness > Orientation > Choice
Reflection
Where is your energy right now?
· Within yourself
· Between you and others
· Or with the system you’re a part of
And what becomes possible when you simply see it clearly?
This is the beginning of a broader framework I’m building—one that looks at energy across the individual, relational, and organizational levels.