By Sénamé Agbossou
“I should be grateful. My agency is successful, my clients are happy, my team is growing. So why do I dread Monday mornings?”
That’s how Rebecca introduced herself during our first coaching session three years ago. On paper, she had everything a business owner could want. In reality, she felt like she was running someone else’s company.
The Success That Wasn’t Sustainable
Rebecca had built her marketing agency from nothing. Starting as a solo freelancer eight years earlier, she’d grown it to 25 employees and consistent seven-figure revenue. Industry awards lined her office walls. Client testimonials praised her “innovative approach” and “breakthrough strategies.”
But Rebecca was burning out.
“I feel like I’m managing the business instead of leading it,” she told me. “Every day is the same: client check-ins, project reviews, operational meetings, budget discussions. I’m good at it, but it’s killing something inside me.”
This is what I call the “Golden Handcuffs Syndrome”: your success becomes the very thing that traps you.
The Energy Misalignment Crisis
During our work together, Rebecca took the Work Energy Type Assessment I’d developed. Her results were immediately revealing: she was a pure Explorer energy type.
Explorers are naturally energized by:
- Innovation and breakthrough thinking
- Variety and new challenges
- Creating something that’s never been done before
- Working on cutting-edge projects
- Experimenting with fresh approaches
But Rebecca’s role had evolved into:
- Managing established client relationships
- Overseeing repetitive campaign execution
- Running routine operational meetings
- Following proven processes and workflows
- Maintaining systems rather than creating them
She was spending 80% of her time in Builder-type work: systematic execution, process management, and maintenance activities. For an Explorer, this is energetic poison.
The Ubuntu Moment
The breakthrough came when Rebecca realized something profound: “I built this business to express my creativity and innovation. But somewhere along the way, I started running it like someone else’s company.”
In Ubuntu philosophy, we understand that when we deny our authentic nature, we not only diminish ourselves; we rob our community of our unique gifts. Rebecca’s team had hired on to work with an innovative creative leader. Instead, they were getting a frustrated operations manager.
Her energy misalignment was affecting everyone around her.
The Alignment Solution
The solution wasn’t selling the agency or starting over. It was redesigning her role to match her energy type.
Here’s what we implemented over eight months:
Energy Alignment Changes:
- Hired a Builder-type COO (David) who thrived on systematic execution and operational excellence
- Rebecca focused on innovation work: developing new service offerings, exploring emerging marketing technologies, creating breakthrough strategies for select clients
- Redesigned client relationships: Rebecca now leads strategic visioning sessions and innovation workshops rather than routine check-ins
- Created partnership opportunities: building relationships with cutting-edge tech companies and industry innovators
- Speaking and thought leadership: sharing insights at industry conferences and through content creation
The Results Were Remarkable:
- Personal energy transformation: Rebecca started looking forward to Monday mornings for the first time in years
- Business growth acceleration: agency revenue grew 60% through innovative service offerings
- Team satisfaction increase: employees were no longer managing Rebecca’s frustration and operational overwhelm
- Industry recognition: Rebecca became a sought-after speaker on marketing innovation
- Client outcomes improvement: strategic focus led to breakthrough results for key clients
The Deeper Lesson
Rebecca’s story illustrates a crucial truth I’ve learned over 25 years: You don’t need to change careers to align with your Work Energy Type. You need to change how you spend your time within your career.
Most leaders think energy alignment means:
- Finding a completely different job
- Starting over in a new industry
- Giving up their current success
- Making dramatic life changes
But that’s rarely necessary. What’s needed is intentional role redesign.
The Ripple Effect of Alignment
When Rebecca aligned with her Explorer energy, something beautiful happened. Her COO David (a natural Builder) started thriving in the operational role. The team’s creative energy increased because they were led by someone genuinely excited about innovation. Clients began getting better results because Rebecca was operating from her zone of genius.
This is Ubuntu in action: when one person operates from their authentic energy, it creates space for others to do the same. Individual alignment creates collective flourishing.
Warning Signs of Energy Misalignment
Rebecca’s story resonates with many leaders because energy misalignment is epidemic. Here are the warning signs:
- Success without satisfaction: achieving goals but feeling empty
- Sunday night dread: anxiety about the upcoming work week
- Constant fatigue: feeling drained despite adequate rest
- Procrastination on “easy” tasks: avoiding work you’re technically good at
- Nostalgia for earlier career phases: missing when work felt more energizing
- Resentment toward responsibilities: feeling trapped by your own success
Your Energy Alignment Journey
If Rebecca’s story resonates, you might be an Explorer operating in Builder territory. Or perhaps you’re a different energy type trapped in work that doesn’t match your natural patterns.
The first step is awareness. The second is courage: the courage to redesign your role around your authentic energy rather than external expectations.
In my next post, I’ll introduce you to all five Work Energy Types and help you identify which one aligns with your natural patterns. Because understanding your energy type isn’t just about personal fulfillment; it’s about unlocking your highest contribution to the world.
Have you ever felt successful but somehow in the wrong role? What would change if you could spend 80% of your time on work that naturally energizes you?
