In entrepreneurship and leadership staying energized isn’t just about managing your caffeine intake or cramming in a morning workout. True energy. The kind that drives creativity, builds resilience, and fosters fulfillment is an art, not a science. It’s a blend of purpose, positivity, and grit. In Dr. Casey’s book Good Energy, we’re introduced to practical frameworks for cultivating this life-sustaining force. Meanwhile, another title: Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up by Abigail Shrier offers a provocative critique of certain modern practices. Which while well-intentioned can sap resilience and stifle growth. Together, these books offer a roadmap to sustaining energy while sidestepping pitfalls that hinder progress.

Dr. Casey’s Good Energy reframes energy not as a finite resource you manage but as a dynamic force you cultivate. Think of energy as an ecosystem. Fed by your environment, your habits, and, most importantly, the meaning you find in your work.

This isn’t about waking up early or checking off productivity hacks. It’s about aligning your actions with your purpose. Dr. Casey dives into how energy flows through the mental, emotional, and spiritual domains of our lives. And how we can tap into each to sustain high performance.

Dr. Casey argues that energy thrives when your actions align with your values and purpose. As a leader, this means going beyond task management to focus on work that feels meaningful. Are you building something you believe in? Are your daily tasks aligned with a bigger vision? Picture an entrepreneur who loves problem-solving but spends most of their time on operational headaches that don’t excite them. Over time, this misalignment depletes their energy. By delegating those tasks and focusing on their passion (creative problem-solving) they not only regain energy but reignite their enthusiasm for their business.

Sustaining energy isn’t just about doing meaningful work either. It’s about building daily habits that keep your internal battery charged. Dr. Casey introduces the concept of energy rituals. Small, intentional practices that nourish the mind and body. Morning mindfulness, a quick mid-day walk, or ending the workday by listing three wins can create pockets of positivity. For leaders, team rituals, like weekly shout-outs or creative brainstorming sessions can recharge the collective team’s energy.

Dr. Casey’s insights align with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow. The state where challenge meets skill, and time disappears (you can read more about it here). Work becomes energizing when we’re fully immersed in meaningful tasks. Leaders who design roles and environments to encourage flow not only fuel their teams but also build a culture of sustained engagement.

Abigail Shrier’s Bad Therapy takes a critical lens to therapeutic practices that prioritize comfort over growth. Her book challenges a culture where over-validation replaces accountability. Which leavs individuals ill-equipped to face life’s inevitable challenges.

For leaders, Shrier’s critique is a wake-up call. Are we creating a culture of resilience or one of dependency? Are we fostering accountability or over-coddling underperformance? Growth, after all, doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from facing challenges head-on.

Validation is important. But when it’s overused or misapplied, it can lead to stagnation. Shrier emphasizes that true growth requires constructive feedback and accountability. Think about a manager who avoids addressing a team member’s chronic underperformance because they fear hurting their feelings. While this might maintain short-term harmony. It undermines long-term growth for both the individual and the team. Contrast this with a leader who provides honest feedback, pairing it with actionable advice. This approach fosters resilience, responsibility, and professional growth.

Shrier argues that leaning into discomfort and not avoiding it, is where true development happens. For entrepreneurs and leaders, discomfort is part of the job. Tough conversations, failed experiments, and big decisions all come with the territory. The key is not to shy away but to embrace these moments as opportunities to build strength and adaptability. Imagine a founder grappling with a product flop. Instead of dwelling on the failure or rushing to blame external factors, they analyse what went wrong, own their role in it, and use the lessons learned to pivot effectively. This willingness to face discomfort head-on is what separates those who grow from those who stagnate.

Combining the principles from Good Energy and Bad Therapy creates a balanced approach to leadership and personal growth. It’s about fuelling yourself and your team with purpose and positivity while building the resilience to navigate challenges and setbacks.

As Dr. Casey highlights, a leader’s energy sets the tone for their team. When leaders align their vision with their actions, they create a ripple effect. This means building a culture that energizes by focusing on collective strengths, celebrating wins, and fostering creativity. A team working under a leader who visibly embodies their mission is more likely to stay motivated, even in tough times. The leader’s enthusiasm and clarity of purpose inspire confidence and drive within the team.

Shrier’s insights remind us that supporting a team doesn’t mean shielding them from challenges. Instead, leaders should provide the tools, feedback, and guidance necessary for growth. A company implementing a feedback culture where constructive criticism is paired with actionable support sees faster professional development and stronger team cohesion. This approach empowers individuals to take ownership of their growth.

Here are some more practical applications for entrepreneurs and leaders:

1. Align Work with Purpose: Regularly revisit your goals and ensure your actions reflect your values. If a task feels draining, ask: “Is this truly aligned with what matters most?”

2. Embrace Challenges: Discomfort is inevitable in growth. Reframe setbacks as opportunities to learn and adapt rather than obstacles to avoid.

3. Cultivate Daily Energy Rituals: Small, intentional habits. Starting the day with gratitude or ending it with reflection can have outsized effects on your energy and focus.

4. Foster Accountability in Teams: Create a feedback culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, but where accountability for actions remains non-negotiable.

In Good Energy and Bad Therapy, we find two complementary guides for navigating the complexities of leadership, growth, and fulfillment. Dr. Casey offers a roadmap for cultivating energy that sustains both creativity and purpose. Shrier challenges you to build the resilience and accountability needed to thrive in a world full of discomfort and unpredictability.

The result? A balanced, holistic approach to personal and professional success. By aligning with your purpose, embracing the lessons of discomfort, and building a culture of energy and accountability, you not only enhance your own performance but also inspire your team to reach new heights.

Leadership isn’t just about what you achieve. It’s about how you sustain the energy to keep going and build the resilience to keep growing. With the principles of these two books, you can create a life and career that isn’t just productive, but fulfilling.