The Leadership Lesson No One Taught Us: How to Manage Your Energy, Not Just Your Time
by Dr. Julie Donley
Come fall, we often return to our routines determined to get more done. New schedules, renewed goals, a fresh to-do list—we are wired for productivity. But as we push to meet expectations and stay on top of it all, something crucial is often overlooked: It’s not just your time that determines how effective you are. It’s your energy.
This is the leadership lesson many of us were never taught. Time management is helpful, but without energy management, we end up burned out, distracted, and disconnected from our own purpose. You can plan every hour of your day, but if you don’t have the energy to show up present, grounded, and engaged, does it really matter how efficient you are?
Why Time Management Isn’t Enough
Time is a limited resource—24 hours, no more, no less. But energy is a renewable one. And while we’ve been trained to schedule our days like machines, we are not machines. We are humans. And humans need to pay attention to more than what’s on the clock.
Think about it: have you ever had a wide-open day on your calendar but couldn’t get anything done because you were exhausted or overwhelmed? Or been short on time but still delivered your best work because you were lit up with focus, clarity, and enthusiasm?
Time is only one part of the equation. Energy is the multiplier.
What It Means to Manage Your Energy
Energy management is about being intentional with your presence, not just your schedule. It’s tending to the quality of how you show up. There are four main domains of energy:
Physical – your body and vitality
Emotional – your feelings and reactions
Mental – your thoughts and focus
Spiritual – your values, sense of purpose, and alignment
When these are in balance, you bring your whole self to your work and relationships. You listen better. Think more clearly. Lead more authentically. Energy is the currency of leadership. The more intentionally you manage yours, the more value you bring to those you lead.
But when you ignore your energy—pushing through fatigue, numbing your emotions, operating on autopilot—you sacrifice the very qualities that make you a powerful, purposeful leader.
So how do we begin to manage energy more intentionally?
Three Strategies to Lead with Energy
1. Anchor Yourself Before You Engage
The way you start your day matters. Before diving into email or getting swept up in demands, take 5–10 minutes to ground yourself. That might mean a short meditation, journaling, stepping outside, or simply sitting with your coffee in stillness. Throughout the day, create mini transitions between tasks—just 60 seconds to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your intention. These moments create space for presence and clarity rather than reactive doing.
2. Mind Your Emotional Energy
Emotions are powerful messengers. When ignored, they leak into our tone, our decisions, and our leadership presence. Notice what gives you energy—and what drains it. Are there tasks, meetings, or relationships that consistently leave you depleted? Pay attention to what you're carrying emotionally. Choose curiosity over judgment. And ask: How do I want to show up in this moment? Leadership doesn’t mean suppressing emotion—it means learning to navigate it with awareness.
3. Take Recovery Seriously
Rest isn't a luxury. It's a leadership tool.
Most people wait until they’re exhausted to rest. Instead, practice proactive recovery: short walks, deep breaths between meetings, nourishing meals, sleep that’s actually prioritized, time spent in nature or play. These aren’t distractions—they’re fuel. Boundaries are part of recovery, too. Know when to say no. Know when to stop. You can’t pour from an empty cup—and you shouldn’t have to.
A Fall Invitation: Shift Your Leadership Lens
As you move into the rhythms of fall—whether you're heading a classroom, leading a team, or simply trying to stay centered in a busy world—consider redefining what it means to be productive. Grounded leadership doesn’t come from squeezing more into your calendar.
It comes from aligning your energy with your purpose. It’s not about how much you do—but how you show up to what you do.
Take a Moment to Reflect …
Where in your life are you feeling stretched thin or disconnected?
What practices help you return to yourself and feel most present?
This fall, instead of chasing productivity, focus on your energy and presence.
Then pay attention—notice what shifts when you do.
When you lead at the speed of people, you learn to slow down on the outside so you can be more intentional on the inside. That’s where your true power lies.
Quick Energy Reset Tools for Purpose-Driven Leaders
Feeling off? Try one of these quick resets to manage your energy in the moment:
90-Second Breath Reset: Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 6. Repeat 3 times.
Intentional Transition: Before your next meeting or task, pause and ask: What energy do I want to bring into this space?
Mind-Body Check-In: Stand up, stretch, roll your shoulders, and name one feeling you're carrying right now.
Nature Hit: Step outside, even for 2 minutes. Look at the sky. Let yourself be rather than do.
Gratitude Grounding: Write down three things you’re grateful for. Feel the shift in your state.
Small moments of awareness and intention can transform how you lead—and how you feel while doing it.
Dr. Julie Donley
Dr. Julie Donley is a leadership expert, author, and workplace stress researcher with nearly 30 years of experience helping professionals navigate high-pressure environments. Her latest book, Leading at the Speed of People: Strategies for Success in a Fast-Paced World, explores how leaders can adapt to this new AI-driven workplace without burning out. For more info, visit DrJulieDonley.com or follow Dr. Donley on social media: She’s @DrJDonley (on Facebook), @DrJulieDonley (on YouTube), and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjuliedonley
