Relationships are not just nice to have, they’re essential. They are the foundation of employee engagement, overall productivity and organisational success. One of the strongest forces behind these outcomes is often overlooked: Relational energy. Relational energy refers to the invisible, but powerful exchange that drives collaboration and motivation.
Why Relational Energy Matters
Relational energy, which is often overlooked, is the glue that holds workplaces together. It’s often the piece that gets missed in all of those conversations about engagement, collaboration and well-being. What is relational energies?
It’s the invisible, but powerful, energy exchange between people that can inspire and motivate them or leave them down and demotivated.
This energy drives human connection, collaboration, creativity and morale. The impact is real:
- Teams with stronger networks of relational energy report a 21% increase in employee engagement.
- High-energy environments boost productivity by 25% (Harvard Business Review 2018).
Employees’ performance increases when they feel appreciated and supported. This leads to individual success as well as organisational growth.
The way teams work together has fundamentally changed in today’s hybrid-remote working environment. The opportunities for building connections and exchanging energy have decreased with fewer in person interactions. Virtual meetings, asynchronous communications, and flexible schedules make it difficult to build strong relationships, which drive engagement and productivity.
Relational energy is even more important in this situation. It is the glue that binds teams, and bridges the gap created by distance. Relational energy can transform a supportive chat message, a motivating one-on-one call or a collaborative brainstorming session in a virtual environment into meaningful and productive connections.
Organisations can make sure their teams are always connected, aligned, and inspired by intentionally nurturing the relational energy.
The role of positive Energisers
Positive energisers have a secret to success in the workplace. These individuals motivate and inspire their teams to do their best.
The numbers are enough. Three times as many positive energy boosters will be found in the teams and departments of successful organisations.
-
Increased productivity by 25%
-
Lower burnout by 40%
- Improved teamwork (Gallup 2021).
These key players are often overlooked because they don’t hold leadership positions. Identifying and empowering positive energy generators can help organisations unlock untapped talent. They can also create high-performing teams that are deeply connected to the mission.
The Ripple Effect
Positive energisers have a positive impact on their immediate team, but they also create a ripple across the organisation, helping to drive initiatives, values, and mission.
Gallup, 2020) found that organizations with higher numbers of positive energisers have 30% better retention rates. People are more likely to remain in a job when they feel valued, connected and supported.
Warning Signs
It’s important to recognize signs of disengagement or negative energy. Changes in behavior, an increase in isolation or a reduction of engagement are all signs that there is a problem.
It is important to address these “wellbeing alerts” in a proactive manner. Positive Impact Mapping (r) tools allow HR teams not only to discover their positive energisers, but also to pinpoint risks early. This allows for timely interventions before disengagement or burnout takes hold.
A Relational Future
Relational energy has never been more important than it is today, as work environments are becoming more digital and distant. Organizations that prioritise connection, nurture positive energy, and address employee well-being will create workplaces in which employees thrive. This is not just a trend, it’s an entirely new way of defining organisational success. Most forward-thinking businesses understand that relational energy is the key to productivity, wellbeing, and employee retention.
Relational energy, however, is not just a buzzword. It’s also a powerful force that shapes the future of the workplace. Positive energisers create environments that foster collaboration, engagement and well-being. Organisations can create stronger and more connected teams by investing in individuals, using tools that monitor relationship dynamics, and using these to build strong, cohesive teams. Prioritising relationships in a world of employees who seek connection and purpose is not only good for culture but essential for success.
