Measuring Energy, Not Just Output

When most organisations think about metrics, they think about output, hours worked, tasks completed, targets hit. But here’s the problem: output doesn’t tell you anything about energy. And energy is what fuels performance.

Why Output Alone Misleads

I’ve seen teams hit their targets quarter after quarter while quietly burning out. On paper, everything looked fine. But the reality was very different: people were exhausted, creativity was gone, and turnover was creeping up. By the time leadership noticed, the damage was already done.

Output can hide problems. Energy exposes them.

What Energy Tells You

Energy is about how people show up, not just what they produce. Do they bring curiosity, passion, and commitment, or are they running on empty? Measuring energy gives leaders a leading indicator, a way to spot risk before it turns into lost performance.

Here’s what low energy looks like:

High energy, on the other hand, shows up as discretionary effort, collaboration, and resilience.

How to Measure Energy

Energy isn’t fluffy, it can be tracked.

• Pulse surveys. Ask short, frequent questions about energy levels, workloads, and motivation.

• Absenteeism trends. Spikes in sick leave often point to burnout.

• Turnover data. Early exits frequently trace back to unsustainable energy demands.

• Manager check-ins. A simple, “How’s your energy this week?” opens honest conversations.

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Some organisations are now using “energy dashboards,” combining survey data, workload metrics, and wellbeing indicators to spot hotspots.

A Story of Energy in Practice

A client of mine introduced a monthly energy check-in across their leadership cohort. Leaders rated their energy on a simple green–amber–red system. At first, people were hesitant. But within months, the practice created powerful conversations. When several leaders flagged red, the exec team adjusted priorities and redistributed workload. Burnout risk dropped, and so did attrition.

Final Thought

You can’t build long-term performance on empty tanks. Measuring output tells you what was achieved. Measuring energy tells you whether it’s sustainable.

And in 2026, sustainability isn’t optional. It’s the competitive edge.

If you would like to book in a time to speak with Ally: CLICK HERE.

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Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.

She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.

Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching.