Everything is Energy
I’ve been fascinated by quantum physics and consciousness studies for a while, that is, once I started to somewhat understand it. The double-slit experiment Margaret Wheatley mentions in Leadership and the New Science has made its way into the general population, so it’s easy to find videos of physicists or Youtubers attempting to explain its weirdness. If you’re unfamiliar with the double-slit experiment, I recommend looking it up. As Margaret mentioned, the big takeaway that has people talking is how the experiment’s results seem to be directly impacted by those observing the experiment. Yeah, weird.
This messes with classical assumptions that things are either one way or another, regardless of whether they are being looked at. The material world is supposed to be fixed. The value of this experiment and other quantum and consciousness findings is the radical implications that things are much more connected, dynamic, and in relationship with one another than we could have imagined. Should it surprise us that we have, yet again, discovered something new about our universe and reality? Wheatley talks about stepping back and finding patterns amid chaos. If we zoom out to get a 10,000-foot view of scientific discoveries over Western history:
Aristotelian Physics
Copernican Revolution
Newtonian Physics
Theory of Relativity
Evolutionary Theory
Quantum Physics
Consciousness Studies
Not only is there a pattern of constant learning and discovery with people, but there is also a pattern of initial rejection, chaos, and the new norm regarding legitimate advancements. Wheatley says, “A pattern has been defined rather succinctly as any behavior that occurs more than once.” What keeps happening in history?
- Order: The world and universe work a particular way: systems and technology emerge from this framework, this information is taught and shared in educational and religious institutions, and the world operates from this paradigm
- Disorder: A groundbreaking discovery comes along: Society/tradition pushes against it, things are in a state of chaos, debates happen, more people get on board, and casualties occur.
- Reorder: Society reaches a critical mass of accepting the new thing, a new norm emerges, the prevailing worldview is taught, and the world operates from this paradigm. Repeat
I say all that to pinpoint where we are in the tides of history. If it’s quantum physics and consciousness studies, then Wheatley and others believe we should better align our communities, organizations, and priorities with how reality works. Wheatley sums up this emerging theory by quoting James Jeans, “The universe looks more like a great thought than like a great machine.”[i] Is this why so many of our leadership models are advocating to make fundamental shifts? Are we intuitively “resonating” with interconnectivity, level 2 relationships,[ii] values, and collaboration over cold hierarchies, divided compartments, policies, and machine-like organizations due to older and early-stage models reflected in Newtonian physics and the Industrial Revolution rather than molecular realities?[iii]
How does all this science speak to me as a leader?!
One aspect of quantum physics that has always intrigued and spoken to me is energy. In fact, everything seems to be energy; it just vibrates at different rates and frequencies. Wheatley mentions something worth chewing on: “If we succeed in generating energy in one area, then we can watch what our networks do with our work. Who lit up and took notice? Where have our ideas traveled to? If we answer these questions, we learn who might be ready to take up this work next.”[iv]
Follow the energy.
It reminds me of a conversation I had during my first near-death experience interview in Ohio with an atheist turned-pastor many years ago. After we discussed his experience and the mysteries of the universe, we got into practical day-to-day conversation. I felt my season at a specific church was coming to a close, but I wasn’t sure. He asked me, “Are you enthusiastic about being there?” I thought about it and reluctantly said, “Not really, and I have not been for a while.” Then he said it was time to go, and his reasoning was from the word “enthusiasm,” which has meanings rooted in the divine presence/energy, “theos” being within something. Whether you agree or not, it was excellent advice for both my wife and I, and I probably wouldn’t be where I am in life or in this program without it. There are times when seasons are hard, and we need to push through because God has called us there, but there are also times when we need to follow “the energy/presence” because God is shifting us or showing us where our attention needs to go in life or in an organization.
Where is the enthusiasm? Who is being lit up by our work?
Energy also correlates with “being” or who we are at the deepest level, which reminds me of Edwin Friedman’s emphasis on being a non-anxious presence.[v] When we are a non-anxious presence, we carry a certain energy into a space or room that affects everyone and everything else. The opposite is true as well, and I think most of us have felt “the vibes” when someone is upset, passionate, happy, nervous, excited, angry, or anxious, and its impact on the room. We can feel it.
Our being is not something that we can necessarily fake or manufacture in times of stress, which correlates with what Marcus Warner and James Wilder say in Rare Leadership concerning crucial spiritual/ psychological habits and relationships we need to cultivate stability, health, and emotional intelligence.[vi] Wheatley stresses, “The leader’s task is first to embody these principles and then to help the organization become the standard it has declared for itself. This work of leaders cannot be reversed, or either step ignored.”[vii] The first step is embodying, which seems to be the pattern we consistently see throughout our readings.
[i] Wheatley, Margaret Joan. Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World. Kindle edition, page 33 of 228.
[ii] Schein, Edgar H., and Peter A. Schein. Humble Leadership, Second Edition: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust. Second Edition. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2023.
[iii] Polanyi, Karl. The Great Transformation. Boston: Beacon Press, 1985.
[iv] Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, Kindle edition, page 153 of 228.
[v] Friedman, Edwin H., Margaret M. Treadwell, and Edward W. Beal. A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix. 10th anniversary revised edition. New York: Church Publishing, 2017.
[vi] Warner, Marcus, and E. James Wilder. Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.=
[vii] Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, Kindle edition, page 130 of 228.
About the Author
Adam Harris
I am currently the Associate Pastor at a church called Godwhy in Hendersonville, TN near Nashville. We love questions and love people even more. Our faith community embraces God and education wholeheartedly. I graduated from Oral Roberts University for undergrad and Vanderbilt for my masters. I teach historical critical Biblical studies at my church to help our community through their questions and ultimately deepen their faith. I love research, writing, learning, and teaching. I oversee our staff and leadership development. Before being at Godwhy I worked as a regional sales coach and director for Anytime Fitness. I've been married for over 13 years to my best friend and we have two amazing boys that keep us busy.5 responses to “Everything is Energy”
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Adam,
Great Post! This felt like it was meant just for me:
” There are times when seasons are hard, and we need to push through because God has called us there, but there are also times when we need to follow “the energy/presence” because God is shifting us or showing us where our attention needs to go in life or in an organization. I needed to read this tonight. Thank you.
I’m glad it was good timing! Thanks for the response!
Follow the energy. I will keep this as a mantra. Thank you.
Also, I’ve been told (and insulted) by someone I worked with that I brought “too much” energy into a room. Looking back, I see what he was saying – but also, dang. I’ve been working on my “energy” in counseling because it does affect those in the room with me.
Yeah, his advice has stuck with me through the years. That’s something I’m working on as well. People on my staff can pick up on my energy real quick and its hard to fake which is why the RARE leadership book really spoke to me.
I love this phrase you wrote:” Where is the enthusiasm? Who is being lit up by our work?” Yes the amazing beautiful energy that makes our world go around. Thank you for the very intelligent summary of this work!