Leadership is often seen as bold, loud, and forward-facing. The commanding voice in the boardroom. The driving force behind the vision. The cheerleader at the front of the room rallying the team toward the next big goal. This is one kind of leadership energy — and it’s critical.
But there’s another kind too. Quieter. Often invisible. It’s the energy that keeps the gears turning when the spotlight fades. The steady force that holds a team together, sustains progress, and builds trust over time.
At Study Groups, we’ve seen that the most effective leaders don’t choose between these two energies — they learn to move between them.
1. Visionary Energy: Forward Momentum
This is the energy most people associate with leadership.
It’s bold. It’s creative. It rallies people toward what could be. It’s the kind of energy that launches a company, disrupts a stagnant process, or paints a compelling picture of the future. When a leader stands in front of a room and says, “Let’s go there,” they’re tapping into visionary energy.
You feel it in moments like:
- Setting ambitious goals and aligning the team around them
- Navigating major transitions or growth phases
- Inspiring people with a clear purpose and values
- Casting vision at a Study Groups meeting that sparks action back home
But just like a high-performance engine, visionary energy can burn hot. Without something to sustain it, it can fizzle out — or worse, leave the team behind.
2. Sustaining Energy: Quiet Strength
This is the less-glamorous, often overlooked form of leadership energy.
It’s the steady presence in a team meeting. The late-night email solving a behind-the-scenes issue. The calm during chaos. The accountability call made when no one else wants to. It’s leadership that shows up, over and over, even when it’s hard.
You notice sustaining energy in moments like:
- Following through after a bold vision is cast
- Listening more than speaking
- Coaching a team member through burnout
- Keeping the cultural flywheel spinning when the founder is out of town
While visionary energy asks, “Where are we going?” — sustaining energy asks, “How are we doing?” And “Are we okay to keep going?”
Why the Balance Matters
Too much visionary energy without sustaining leadership can lead to burnout, confusion, or turnover. People may be inspired — but feel unsupported.
Too much sustaining energy without vision can lead to stagnation or complacency. The team might be well cared for — but uncertain about where they’re headed.
At Study Groups, we help leaders recognize which kind of energy they naturally lead with — and when they need to shift gears. Our members challenge each other to zoom out and dream big, and then zoom in and follow through. That balance is where real leadership thrives.
A Question for Reflection:
Which type of energy have you been leading with lately — and what does your team need most from you right now?
