Multiplying Effect of Positive Energy

By Seiki "Stan" Hirota

Originally published October 12, 2019

I have been involved in many different types of business in various industries throughout my career, and through this experience, I have learned that regardless of the industry, creating a great organization starts from having positivity and attracting people who have the right attitudes and behaviors to form a team with positive energy. When you attract people with the right attitudes and behaviors, the positive energy that you emit multiplies, which becomes the power to accomplish great things.

In my mind, the people that have the right attitudes and behaviors are those that can emit positive feelings that can inspire, uplift and energize other people with whom they interact. Looking through my notes, these are some of the quotes from leaders that I have written down in the past which talk about the power of “Positive Energy”:

"When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down, and positive energy replaces it. That’s when you can get more creative in solving problems." –Stephen Covey, American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker

"The worst times can be the best if you think with positive energy." –Domenico Dolce, Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur

"Leaders must exemplify integrity and earn the trust of their teams through their everyday actions. When you do this, you set high standards for everyone at your company. And when you do so with positive energy and enthusiasm for shared goals, vision and purpose, you can deeply connect with your team and customers." –Marillyn Hewson, Chairman & CEO of Lockheed Martin

Positive people and positive teams deliver positive results. It’s as simple as that. This basic organizational rule applies in any industry, whatever you do and wherever you live. I strongly believe that the most essential ingredient for success in anything is “Positive Energy”. If you are interested in learning more about how to create and leverage on “Positive Energy”, there is a book called “The Energy Bus” written by Jon Gordon, which explains about the rules on how to fuel your life, work, and team with positive energy.

In this book, positive energy is referred to as not the fake kind of chest-thumping rah-rah, cheering kind of energy that annoys people. Positive energy is something more genuine such as optimism, trust, enthusiasm, love, caring, purpose, joy, passion, and basic spirit to live, work and stretching yourself to perform at a higher level. This energy is inevitable to build and lead successful teams, to overcome adversity and to bring out the best in others and in yourself.

In this world, there are a lot of people who give off negative vibes such as tension, anxiety and anger, who are often referred to as “Energy Vampires”. These people suck all the energy out of other people by creating Muda (futility; uselessness; wastefulness) such as big soap operas and confusion to complicate things and make everyone blinded to the simple truths. I want to be crystal clear with everyone that I have no tolerance for Energy Vampires who sabotage our health, our team and our success.

No one goes through life untested. Everyone has problems, issues and challenges. But every problem has a gift for everyone to be better. Problems and issues are goldmines for improvement in life and work. You can choose to see the curse or the gift in every problem and issue that challenges you. This one choice will basically determine if your life is a success story or one big soap opera. No one can choose your attitude but you. No one else can choose your energy but you.

In order to start a great run in life, commit to change, choose your vision of where you want to go, have the desire and focus to make it happen and start spreading positive energy. A smile and a positive attitude will change the way you feel, the way you think, how you interact with others, and how others perceive you. Even if you currently feel like you are in a center of a soap opera, this simple change will help you simplify your life and help you realize the most profound and meaningful things in your life.

Don’t gossip, don’t play politics. Look at how you can serve others -- help your customers and coworkers -- treat others well and add something positive to their environment. If you have the tendency to compare, you must surrender all comparisons which involves ceasing to want what other people have. Focus on what you have and if you admire somebody, then be just humble to genuinely learn from them. Envy, jealousy and insecurity just create negative energy.

I want to make every organization that I get involved with as great as possible which bring new exciting opportunities for everyone. If you want to be a part of the journey, I need you to be mindful. Aim to be magnetic, likeable and someone others want to be around by emitting positive energy. Invite others to join, and surround yourself with people who can multiply this positive energy. It’s a simple formula that we need to follow. Positive people and positive teams deliver positive results. I look forward to a great journey full of positive energy with everyone.