Seth Godin once wrote, “You’re either the person who creates energy. Or you’re the one who destroys it.”

It’s one of those quotes that stops me in my tracks.

Think about it: Every day, in every interaction, we’re adding energy or pulling it away. Whether you’re at a team meeting, catching up with a friend, or simply standing in line at the grocery store—your presence matters. You’re either fueling momentum or depleting it.

What Does It Mean to “Create Energy”?

Creating energy isn’t about being loud, charismatic, or the life of the party. It’s about being present, positive, and intentional. It’s the smile you offer a stranger. The encouraging word you give a colleague. The solution-oriented attitude you bring to a tough conversation.

Energy creators inspire motion, lift spirits, and leave people feeling better than they were before.

And What Does It Mean to Drain It?

We’ve all felt it—those interactions that leave us exhausted. The constant complainer. The critic without solutions. The person who always finds what’s wrong, never what’s right.

Energy drainers may not even realize the impact they’re having. But negativity, gossip, or disengagement spreads fast—and it sticks.

So, How Can You Be an Energy Creator?

Here are 5 practical ways to bring energy to every space you enter:

1. Check your energy first.Before you walk into a room or start a conversation, ask yourself: What am I bringing into this space? Your tone, posture, and mindset all set the tone.
2. Be generous with encouragement.People crave affirmation. A kind word or acknowledgment can shift someone’s whole day.
3. Focus on solutions, not just problems.It’s easy to point out what’s wrong. Energy creators lean into what’s possible.
4. Be present. Really present.Eye contact. Listening without interrupting. Putting the phone away. These small acts communicate value and connection.
5. Lead with gratitude.Gratitude is contagious. When you appreciate others and your circumstances, you shift the energy in the room.

Final Thought

Every interaction is a chance to make a difference. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect or “on” all the time—but it does mean being intentional.

When people see your name pop up in their inbox or your face walk through the door, what do they feel?

Let’s be the ones who lift the room, light the path, and create energy—on purpose.