High Vibrations Only!
“I firmly believe that kingdom-seeking, God-honoring, biblically rooted leadership needs to learn how to hear God’s voice. Leaders must lead from a divine center with a heart in tune with the heart of God, forming a holy partnership that results in fulfilling the purposes of God on earth.”(1)
Leadership Vibrations
This book was music to my ears, a song in my heart, a tickle in my tummy, and rhythm in my steps. The Sound of Leadership was a breath of fresh air after the last few challenging books. This quote in the first few pages that had me begging for more. “Since energy, frequency, and vibration constitute the essence of sound, to inhabit the future we must reframe everything in terms of acoustics.”(2) Yes, let’s do just that. Let’s reframe it all, everything in terms of acoustics. I have been on this wavelength for about three months. I have been very intentional about the interactions that I have, the prayers that I pray, the thoughts that I entertain, the conversations that I have, and the people that I share space with. I was articulating this to my 31-year-old daughter, and she responded, “Yes, Mom. There is no time to be wasted on low vibrational people.” If you are wondering what she is talking about, you are not alone. I did not know either. There is this trendy movement (I guess you would call it a movement) of categorizing people as low vibrational or high vibrational to help determine who should be in your circle of friends/circle of influence. I looked up the definition for myself and for you. “Low vibrational people are those who emit negative emotions and energy, which can lower your own vibrational frequency. They may have a pessimistic outlook on life, engage in negative habits, and spread negativity to others.”(3) These are people that we want to stay away from or have limited interaction. “High vibrational people are individuals who have learned to vibrate on a higher frequency through their actions and lifestyle. Having increased empathy, feeling positive emotions like joy and gratitude often, and living mindfully are all signs you’re a high vibrational person.”(4) These are our people, the ones that we want in our circle. If I had to categorize this book in vibrational terms, it is definitely a “High Vibrational” book. I felt positive emotions, and it was a joy to read.
Discerning The Voices
I had a difficult time choosing one thing to write about. There were so many options, so many things that I enjoyed about this book. Chapter 2 was one of the most impactful for me. Discerning the voices that we hear is such a crucial practice. While working with organizations, it is important to understand that all stakeholders have a voice that needs to be heard. Glanzer shares, “People want to be heard. They desire their voices to be acknowledged and understood and their requested action to be taken.”(5) Acknowledging stakeholder views is not always easy, especially when they are financial contributors, such as donors. It can get complicated. Glanzer explains, “Stakeholders continually speak. They speak with their ideas, their influence, and their money. Many of them have networks with considerable influence in society and often in the organization. The greater their involvement with the organization, the more they feel they have a right to be heard.”(6) Yet, leaders have to be discerning and make decisions in the midst of the noise, the voices, the expectations, and the opinions. There is value in taking time to make a decision, not rushing, and allowing space for discernment. I have not always operated this way. The pressure to make a quick decision can be intoxicating and overwhelming. Glanzer gives the best direction, he offers, “Silently prioritizing the voices, the leader decides on what is the needed action to accomplish the mission and see the vision become reality.”(7)
Listening To The Voice of One
“Learning to hear the Voice of One can only happen as we get to know the One speaking.”(8)
This Chapter 5 opens with four questions that were interesting to me, yet the last question stopped me in my tracks:
1. Do you believe God is alive and active in the world today?
2. Do you believe that God is still speaking?
3. Do you believe that God has your best interest in mind?
4. Do you believe that God wants the group you lead to thrive?(9)
I could scream an astounding “YES” to the first three, but the last question caused me to pause. Not all groups are composed of people that are like-minded. There are people that are mean, calculating, and difficult. They are low vibrational people. Honestly, it is not easy to pray for people that make your life miserable. So, sometimes it is a stretch to believe that God wants everyone in the group to thrive. But God absolutely does, and it was an important reminder for me. Seeking God in every circumstance, not just the convenient situations. If I’m being fully transparent, I feel a bit ashamed that question 4 was not an easy “Yes” for me but I eventually got there. It is a much-needed reminder that I cannot rely on my own understanding Glanzer says, “But the Voice of One trumps all other voices. His voice calls, equips, and inspires us to participate with him in his activity in the world.”(10) I pray that we all lean into THE VOICE OF ONE, especially in the inconvenient times. I pray that we avoid showing the shadow side of leadership, because that would be low vibrational. Let us be mindful that “Emphasizing the Voice of One can be dangerous. Many of us have experienced the shadow side of a leader who boldly proclaims, “God told me to _________.” You fill in the blank.”(11) Lastly, I pray that we continue to be and attract High Vibrational Energy.
1.Jules Glanzer, The Sound of Leadership (Plano, Texas: Invite Press, 2003), 33.
2.Ibid., xvii.
3.“Your Zen Growth,” Your Zen Growth, June 22, 2023, https://yourzengrowth.com/.
4.Cht Jennifer McVey, “High Vibration People: 15 Signs You Have High Vibrational Energy,” wikiHow, August 29, 2023,
https://www.wikihow.com/High-Vibration-People.
5.Jules Glanzer, The Sound of Leadership (Plano, Texas: Invite Press, 2003), 11.
6.Ibid., 13.
7.Ibid., 31.
8.Ibid., 32.
9.Ibid., 29.
10.Ibid., 32.
11.Ibid., 33.
About the Author
Jonita Fair-Payton
14 responses to “High Vibrations Only!”
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Almost instinctively I knew what your daughter was talking about regarding high and low vibrational people. I let out a sigh and acknowledging nod as I read that part of your post. The your daughter gave the definition and I knew I had been right.
How did I know?
I experience both high and low people in my pastoral context on a regular basis. It’s par for the course. I now find it odd if I DON’T have an encounter with a low vibrational person after a Sunday service. Those types of people tend to be the majority that I encounter each weekend. The “high” vibrational ones are stable and don’t want to bother me. I sometimes tell them: “PLEASE COME BOTHER ME, BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T SOMEONE ELSE WILL AND THAT SOMEONE IS USUALLY OFF THEIR ROCKER!”
Having that last comment in ALL CAPS was absolutely necessary, because I literally was YELLING as I was typing.
Sounds like a form of PTSD to me. 🙁
Sounds…
Sounds…
Isn’t it interesting Jonita, how often we can almost subconsciously “hear” the sounds that people emit? Do you get what I mean? Do you experience that too?
I know exactly what you mean. I can also identify with the low vibrational people being the first to corner us after a sermon or a presentation. I remember one particular person actually challenging a comment that I made in the middle of a keynote address. Yep, PTSD for sure.
I have begun to pay attention to the way that I feel after an interaction. I ask myself, “what am I supposed to learn from that? and honestly the answer is to limit contact with that person. I really do want high vibrational interactions only. Probably wishful thinking!
I’m glad you liked this book, Jonita. I experienced it a bit differently. I felt like it began strong for me and then became redundant. (Not to be a low vibrational person!) I also struggled with some of his comments. (See my blog post for more info on that.) However, I did really appreciate his music/sound analogy. That was super helpful to me.
I also appreciated his focus on listening to the right voices and to the voice of One. It’s hard to do some times -okay, it’s often hard to do!
Kally,
Sis, you are not low vibrational. ( :
I really did enjoy the book, it was refreshing and energizing for me. The section on listening to the right voices was impactful for me as well. It is so very hard to do, often and always. I’m heading over now, to read your post.
Jonita, you have given me a subject to talk about with my family! I’d love to bring up the categories of low vibrational or high vibrational people when our kids come home for the holidays. I don’t think I had ever heard that metaphor before I read your post. Your description of high vibrational people reminded me of Edwin Friedman’s “well-differentiated” leader: “someone who has clarity about his or her own life goals and, therefore, someone who is less likely to become lost in the anxious emotional processes swirling about. I mean someone who can be separate while still remaining connected and, therefore, can maintain a modifying, non-anxious, and sometimes challenging presence.” (Friedman, Failure of Nerve, 15-16). I want to find a way to work “the high vibrational” – “low vibrational” comparison into an upcoming presentation. I teach a class next week at a local seminary, and I’d love to include it there, in my slides. Which of your two references (footnote #3 or #4) for this topic seemed to shed the most light on the analogy?
Hey Travis,
I think footnote #4 will be most useful. I love that you may incorporate it in your presentation. I am always amazed by what I learn from young adults. One of the new things that they are talking about is living a “soft life”. Here is the definition, “Soft life refers to a lifestyle of comfort and relaxation with minimal challenges or stress. Some people use the term in reference to a life that involves (and is a product of) wealth and luxury, while others interpret it as simply being a simplified life unburdened from stress and responsibilities.”(https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/soft-life/)
Please let me know how your conversation with your family and the presentation went.
Like you, Glanzer’s question “Do you believe that God wants the group you lead to thrive?” stopped me in my tracks but for a different reason. In the context of the church plant that I help lead, I see church members struggling mightily and we’re not seeing the growth we would like. I DO believe that God wants this little church to thrive but when the reality doesn’t match up with that vision it takes eyes of faith to believe what Glanzer says. But contrary to feeling discouraged about that, Glanzer encouraged me to keep looking beyond what is seen to the unseen reality of God at work (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Kim,
I found those same encouragements in Glanzer’s writing to continue to seek God in all spaces and look beyond what is seen. It’s not an easy practice but we have to keep trying. I also felt push to keep evolving, to keep trying, to keep growing.
Jonita,
Thanks for explaining…“High vibrational people are individuals who have learned to vibrate on a higher frequency through their actions and lifestyle. Having increased empathy, feeling positive emotions like joy and gratitude often, and living mindfully are all signs you’re a high vibrational person.”
Wow, I have survived a lot of low vibrational people, but am I a high vibrational leader? Do I create my own wave of change that glorifies God?
It too enjoyed Glanzer’s takeaways. The forced me to look within. Your blogspot words however, remind me of…And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
Ahhh…the first sounds of creation.
Shalom
Jonita,
Thanks for explaining…“High vibrational people are individuals who have learned to vibrate on a higher frequency through their actions and lifestyle. Having increased empathy, feeling positive emotions like joy and gratitude often, and living mindfully are all signs you’re a high vibrational person.”
Wow, I have survived a lot of low vibrational people, but am I a high vibrational leader? Do I create my own wave of change that glorifies God?
It too enjoyed Glanzer’s takeaways. The forced me to look within. Your blogspot words however, remind me of…“And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
The sound of the creator, creating.
Shalom
Hi Jonita,
I had never heard the terms of low vibrational and high vibrational people until now. Like Travis, Friedman came to mind about being differentiated and Simon Walker being undefended. It is very hard sometimes to maintain empathy. without jumping into the fray. I am also aware that low vibrational people are hurting people. It takes a different approach, being OK with them, and their negative feelings/vibes. What helps you manage or stay present in those spaces? Always looking for good strategies.
Jenny,
I love that you and Travis connected this to Friedman and Simon Walker. Jenny your comment, ” I am also aware that low vibrational people are hurting people. It takes a different approach, being OK with them, and their negative feelings/vibes.”, is so profound that it placed a pit in my stomach. You are right, they are hurting people, and they deserve compassion, but it is not always easy to give, and they can drain you. I struggle, at times, to find the right words. When I am at a loss, I ask them if we can pray together. I am also clear that I can’t help everyone, some of this work is beyond me.
Russell,
These are important questions that you pose;
1. Am I a high vibrational leader?
2.Do I create my own wave of change that glorifies God?
I believe that I am a high vibrational leader. I have grown to be one, I don’t think that this was always that case. Early in my career, I believed that yielded the “big stick” helped gained respect. I learned the hard way that it did not work.
Creating my own wave of change to glorify God is the goal…always the goal. I love that you brought this back to the forefront of my mind and heart.
I pray that we avoid showing the shadow side of leadership, because that would be low vibrational. Let us be mindful that “Emphasizing the Voice of One can be dangerous. Many of us have experienced the shadow side of a leader who boldly proclaims, “God told me to _________.” You fill in the blank.”(11) Lastly, I pray that we continue to be and attract High Vibrational Energy.
good prayer Jonita…thank you.