Four energy zones

There are two dimension of energy zones:
1. Intensity of energy level
2. Quality of energy level

This yields four possible 'zones':

1. Passion zone (high / high)
2. Aggression zone (high / low)
3. Resignation zone (low / low)
4. Comfort zone (low / high)

Companies in the passion or aggression zon are more likely to have success, companies in the resignation zone have nearly given up. Companies in the comfort zone are living on past success.

There are three energy traps:

1. Acceleration trap: efforts to accelerate can lead to a burn-out. This yields issues in prioritizing.
2. Intertia trap: weakening a company's ability to leverage resources. This can come from past successes in a changing environment.
3. Corrosion trap: not chanelling forces together but used to fight internal fights.

How to unleash Organizational energy:
Radical change either yields in reaching the passion (winning the princess) or aggression (slaying the dragon) zone.

Slaying the dragon
Articulate threat, release strong, negative emotions to overcome threat. Requires high-energy, brave and commanding leaders. This approach is often the only choice for a company when they battle for survival.

Winning the princess
Strong positive energy to move people into passion zone. Create an objective desire (the princess) and invoke passion in employees. Requires calm, gentle, inspiring and empathic leaders.

From: Unleashing organizational energy, MIT Sloan Management Review, Fall 2003.