Core Value Wednesday. I’ve come to really enjoy these. It makes the writing easy. I just open up Evernote. Head over to my Core Value file. Pick one and deliver it to you. Pretty much stream of consciousness. That’s b/c they’re already inside of me. I’ve led with these as my guide for years. So, let’s just jump right in. . .

Core Value #6: As a leader I believe that:

LIGHT EQUALS ENERGY. I will not lead nor will my team (with rare exceptions) ever spend their days working with the lights off.

It seems that working in the dark or under dim light is a popular thing to do these days. People will argue all day that they are just as effective in this environment than one that is well lit. I don’t buy it. What I do buy is that dim, soft lighting creates ambiance. I would even agree that working in an office with the lights off is relaxing. But let me ask you, what are you leading? A freakin’ spa? Or a vibrant, exciting workplace that’s executing and getting crap done?

Remember, as the leader you set the pace. Your team will run as hard as you do. If you’re “chill”, they will be “chill”. You may have people on your team that try to break out and bring some enthusiasm into the environment but it won’t last. They’ll realize they are out of place on your team. Everyone follows your lead and if you are working in that dim, soft, (but cool) environment, your team’s attitude will reflect that.

Web programmers, creatives, guys and gals who are sitting in front of computer screens all day knocking out code or graphics. I get it. No one should be subjected to doing that all day and if dark is what they want, then by all means give it to them.

To everyone else, to teams that are selling something, whether it be products, events, ideas, etc. You HAVE to do it with the lights on.

Light equals energy.

Think about it, you sleep with the lights off. You relax with the lights off. You wind down with the lights off. When a patient is in the hospital with a severe brain injury? And the brain is trying to fix itself? You know what is often prescribed by the doctor? Zero brain stimulation. The patient needs to lay there, with no talking in the room, no stimulation. . . in the dark. Did you hear me? When the brain needs to rest, when it needs to have zero stimulation, the patient just lays there in the dark w/ no activity.

I’ve met leaders who have sales teams that aren’t getting the jobs done and morale is low. I’ll go to spend time with them and will sit and talk with them in their dark “natural barely any light” office. Gee, that took me about 5 seconds to realize one of their main problems. Oh well, at least their office has a cool vibe.

If you are leading a sales team, your team will feed off your energy. Save the dark vibe for your home if you want. When your at the office leading, turn the lights on.

Light equals energy.