By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

It only takes one person to drain the energy of a team. If you want to get others excited about an idea and communicate it effectively you must make sure you plug the leaks in the energy dyke. There are three types of team energy vampires. Knowing how to deal with them is important to achieving your goals.

The Siphoning Vampire works just like the hoodlum who siphons gasoline out of another person’s car. They hook into you and drain your energy supply. They do it by constantly finding bad or negative news to share. Nothing is right for the siphoning vampire, and it’s this person’s job to tell everyone how deplorable things really are. (more…)

By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

It’s imperative that you close the mental, emotional and physical door on your previous employment or team association. If you carry any anger, frustration, fear or regret into your transition it will decrease your energy and establish a pattern that will negatively affect your new position.  Here are some steps to close the door and refocus personal energy:

1. Say “Good-Bye” – figuratively and literally. DO NOT leave without telling superiors or team members that you appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the organization. This is especially important if you feel you have been “wronged” in some way. If you can’t say good-bye in person write the person(s) a note and express it in writing.
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By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

Have you ever known someone who was impossible to please? No matter what you did it was never enough. Every time you were around this person you were on edge, constantly concerned that you might say or do something that would trigger their anger.  Even when you did what they wanted you were in danger of getting their wrath. The smallest mistake caused all Hades to break loose and you would be on the receiving end of a tsunami of anger, defensiveness, and abuse. Nothing seems to please them even though you continue to try and find something that will.

Come on Dr. Bob, you’re the energy doctor, can’t you give us a way to communicate with or please the impossible person. The answer is a resounding “NO.” There are some people who truly are impossible to please. I could give you all the psychological reasons why they are impossible but that won’t make any difference. The truth is you will worthlessly use a lot of energy if you get caught in the trap of trying to please the impossible person. However, there are some things you can do that will make it bearable.
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By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

I have a friend who lives at Whistler ski resort outside Vancouver, Canada. Ed is a candid and straightforward communicator. He has little patience with people who whine. Last summer I helped him build a garage onto his home. During one of our breaks I was complaining about a partner of mine and Ed stopped me in the middle of my whining and said, “Give yourself a shake Bobby. Stay in the partnership or get out, but don’t bellyache about it.”

Although I thought he was a little harsh, he was exactly right. Give yourself a shake and do whatever is necessary to begin moving in a positive direction. The longer you waltz around a problem the more confusing the problem becomes. Here are several suggestions to get into action:
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By Bob Rausch, Ph.D.

You may be familiar with the adage: “No pain, no gain.” However, it’s difficult to believe that idea when you’re caught in the middle of a difficult career transition. That’s when you want to know if you will ever work again. Knowing how to manage perplexing thoughts and feelings is critical. You won’t receive the greatest benefit from a transition until you can do that. Use the following six steps to not only survive, but maximize, your next career transition:

1. Get Your Attitude Right – Accept that the overall purpose of a transition is to strengthen your character. Just like a weightlifter adds more weight to develop stronger muscles, a transition produces resistance that helps strengthen personal confidence and determination.
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