By Sénamé Agbossou

After 25 years of coaching business owners and executives across Europe and Africa, I’ve witnessed a troubling pattern that affects even the most successful leaders: the 3 PM energy crash.

It’s not about caffeine withdrawal or lunch choices. It’s something much deeper.

The Hidden Struggle of High Performers

Last month, I sat across from Elena, a brilliant CEO who had built three successful companies over the past decade. Her latest venture was thriving: revenue growing 40% year-over-year, team of 85 people, industry recognition flowing in.

But Elena looked exhausted.

“I love what I do,” she told me, “but by mid-afternoon, I feel like I’m running on empty. I used to think I just needed better time management or maybe more delegation. But I’ve tried everything.”

Elena’s story isn’t unique. In fact, it’s become the norm among the leaders I work with. They’re achieving external success while battling internal energy depletion.

The Real Problem: Energy Misalignment

Here’s what I’ve discovered after working with hundreds of leaders: Your energy isn’t broken. You’re just using it wrong.

Think of it like this: Elena is what I call an “Explorer” energy type: someone naturally energized by innovation, breakthrough thinking, and pioneering new approaches. But as her companies grew, she found herself spending 80% of her time in detailed operational oversight, systematic process management, and routine decision-making.

It’s like asking a race car to pull a plow. Both are powerful machines, but they’re designed for completely different purposes.

The Ubuntu Connection

In the Ubuntu philosophy, we understand that “I am because we are.” Our individual energy affects the collective energy of our teams and organizations. When leaders operate against their natural energy patterns, it doesn’t just drain them; it creates ripple effects throughout their entire organization.

Teams start to mirror their leader’s energy depletion. Innovation stagnates. Decision-making becomes sluggish. The very success that leaders have built becomes the source of their exhaustion.

What I’ve Learned About Energy Patterns

Over 25 years, I’ve identified that work energy follows predictable patterns. The leaders who feel alive at 5 PM while others are burnt out? They’ve discovered something crucial: their natural work energy pattern and designed their role around it.

These leaders understand that:

• Energy alignment isn’t selfish, it’s strategic
• Sustainable high performance requires working with your nature, not against it
• When you operate in your energy zone, you elevate everyone around you

Common Energy Drains (And What They Reveal)

Pay attention to what consistently drains your energy at work:

Endless meetings that go nowhere might indicate you’re an Explorer type craving innovation over routine discussion.

Detailed administrative tasks could signal you’re a Driver type built for momentum, not maintenance.

Working in isolation for extended periods might mean you’re a Connector type who needs collaborative energy.

Constant pressure for quick decisions could indicate you’re a Sensemaker type who needs time for deep analysis.

Surface-level work without deeper meaning might reveal you’re wired for strategic thinking and long-term impact.

The Path Forward

The solution isn’t working harder, implementing better systems, or pushing through the exhaustion. It’s understanding your fundamental work energy pattern and aligning your role with it.

Because here’s the truth I’ve learned: When we understand our own energy, we better understand others. When we operate from our natural strengths, we create space for others to do the same. This isn’t just personal development; it’s leadership evolution.

Your energy type isn’t a limitation. It’s your competitive advantage. But only when you’re conscious of it and intentional about using it.

In my next post, I’ll share the five distinct work energy patterns I’ve discovered and how recognizing yours can transform not just your performance, but your entire approach to leadership.

What consistently drains your energy at work?