Energy Leadership and the The 7 Levels of Energy
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Note: This blog post contains my interpretation of the copyrighted work of Bruce D Schneider and the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).
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Energy Leadership is a framework developed by coach and psychotherapist Bruce D. Schneider. It describes seven levels of energy or perspectives through which we experience the world. You can think of these levels like different filters on a photo – they color how we interpret events and challenges around us. Lower energy levels tend to be more catabolic (draining or destructive), while higher levels are anabolic (constructive and energizing). The more catabolic the energy, the more judgment is present.
We all naturally cycle through these levels day to day, but becoming aware of them allows us to choose a more empowering perspective in any situation.
Level 1: Victimhood/Apathy. At this most catabolic level, people feel powerless and stuck – life is happening to them. There’s little passion or commitment, just a sense of loss or “I always lose” resignation. For example, imagine waking up dreading the day, thinking “There’s nothing I can do; I just have to endure this.” That’s Level 1 energy. Sometimes people experiencing Level 1 energy may also have lots of anxious thoughts, ruminating on past choices. Either way, when we are experiencing Level 1, typically we struggle to take any action, with a primary attitude of lethargy.
Level 2: Conflict/Anger. Here we see the energy of defiance and resistance. A person experiencing Level 2 is motivated by fight-or-flight responses – frustration, competition, blame. The mindset is “I have to win, and for me to win, you must lose.” Problems are confronted with anger or resentment, and black-and-white thinking is common at this level. Level 2 energy can spark action (it’s more energetic than apathy), and can even be a helpful energy (for instance, if we are inspired to seek justice for wrong done to us or others), but it often creates higher degrees of stress and is not very sustainable as a longterm power source on its own.
Level 3: Responsibility/Cooperation. At Level 3, the tone shifts to coping and tolerating. There’s a sense of taking responsibility for one’s own feelings and beginning to forgive or rationalize. The motto of Level 3 might be “I will do what I have to in order to get what I need...and if you win too, that’s fine.” Someone at Level 3 seeks compromise and self-sufficiency – for instance, calmly navigating office politics by “picking your battles” and convincing yourself to let the small stuff go. Stress is managed by finding silver linings (“This isn’t ideal, but I can deal with it.”).
Level 4: Concern/Compassion. This level is marked by caring and service. The focus shifts from self to others – you start to feel empathy and a desire to help. The mindset becomes “My goal is that you get what you need to win, and if I can win too that's nice but not required.” You’re genuinely concerned about others’ needs and willing to support them. Think of a team leader who, despite their own stress, takes time to mentor a struggling colleague. The pitfall here is sometimes neglecting yourself or taking on others’ problems. While Level 4 energy can be very effective in motivating us to take action even when we are feeling less inspired for our own goals, if we spend too long in this energy without reciprocation we can begin to feel depleted and then resentful (Level 2) or simply burnt out (Level 1).
Level 5: Reconciliation/Opportunity. At Level 5, there is an outlook of acceptance and seeing opportunities in challenges. The core thought at Level 5 is reconciliation, seeking the win-win. There is curiosity, peace, and a sense of possibilities rather than problems. For example, if a project fails, a Level 5 response might be: “What can we learn from this? How might this create a new opportunity?” There’s less judgment of situations as purely good or bad – instead, everything is a chance to grow.
Level 6: Synthesis/Joy. This is a high-anabolic level where intuition and insight dominate. Emotions such as joy and wisdom are experienced at this level. We can think of it as the "flow state" level--we are operating with a high degree of presence in the moment. There’s a powerful intuition and creativity at play, and actions align with a sense of purpose and vision.
Level 7: Non-Judgment/Absolute Passion. Level 7 is the highest energy level, characterized by total non-judgment and creation. It’s a state of pure passion, imagination, and seeing the big picture – almost like viewing life as an observer and creator at the same time. People at Level 7 feel an almost constant state of flow or bliss (e.g. a masterful meditator or a visionary leader at their peak). The mindset here is that winning and losing are irrelevant or illusory concepts– there’s only experience and choice. In Level 7, we are "BEING" rather than "DOING" and therefore it’s rare to sustain Level 7 for long periods; think of it more as moments of profound insight or connection where everything “clicks.”
In practice, none of these levels is “good” or “bad” in absolute terms – each has its advantages and drawbacks. For example, Level 1 conserves energy (advantage: you withdraw and rest when overwhelmed), while Level 2 can drive quick action (advantage: problems get confronted). However, living mostly in the lower levels can be exhausting and limiting, like driving with the parking brake on. The goal of the Energy Leadership framework is to help you recognize your current energy level and intentionally shift to a higher, more empowering level when needed. By raising your awareness, you “lead” your own energy instead of reacting on autopilot.
Example: Imagine you’re leading a project that hits a major snag. A Level 1 reaction would be, “This is hopeless; I can’t fix this” – you might shut down and avoid the issue. A Level 2 reaction: anger and blame – “Whose fault is this? This is a disaster!” A Level 5 reaction would look for the opportunity – “Okay, this is tough, but what solution can we find? What’s the hidden lesson here?” As you can see, higher levels bring more creativity and less emotional turmoil. Through practice (and tools like the Energy Leadership Index assessment), you can learn to notice your default “filter” and choose a perspective that serves you and those around you.
In summary, the 7 Levels of Energy provide a roadmap from a victim mindset to a creator mindset. They remind us that we always have a choice in how we view our circumstances. By mastering these levels, you empower yourself to handle challenges with resilience, lead others more effectively, and experience greater overall satisfaction in work and life.
Learn more about the 7 Levels in Bruce’s book, Energy Leadership: The 7 Level Framework for Mastery in Life and Business.