Why I Use the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) in My Coaching
- susyhannah
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Most people I work with aren’t lacking capability.
They’re intelligent, thoughtful, and highly competent. From the outside, they often appear calm and in control. But internally, it’s often a different experience — self-doubt, second-guessing, and a quiet pressure to prove themselves.
What I’ve found is this:
It’s not a skills problem. It's an energy problem. The way we think, feel, and respond in any moment is shaped by our energy — and that energy shifts, particularly under stress.
This is where the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) becomes so valuable.
The ELI is a research-backed assessment that measures how you show up in your life and leadership — not just what you do, but the energy behind it. In particular, it highlights how you tend to respond when things feel uncertain, pressured, or challenging.
At the core of this work is the distinction between catabolic and anabolic energy.
Catabolic energy is draining. It shows up as stress, self-doubt, frustration, and internal pressure. When you’re in this state, your thinking narrows and you’re more likely to hesitate, second-guess yourself, or hold back.
Anabolic energy is more constructive. It’s associated with clarity, resilience, confidence, and forward movement. When you’re operating from this place, you tend to think more clearly, make decisions more effectively, and feel more in control of how you respond.
We all move between these states. The difference is whether we’re aware of it.
Without that awareness, these patterns run in the background — quietly influencing how you show up, especially in the moments that matter most.
The ELI brings those patterns into view. It provides a clear, objective insight into how you respond under pressure, where your energy may be working against you, and where you already have the capacity to shift. It can also highlight underlying beliefs that may be shaping those patterns beneath the surface.
For many people, this includes a persistent internal narrative of “I’m not quite good enough” — something we often refer to as gremlin energy in coaching.
Once these patterns are visible, they can be worked with more directly and effectively.
In my work, the ELI often forms the starting point. It allows us to move beyond general conversations about confidence or mindset and instead focus on what is actually driving your experience — with clarity and precision.
From there, the work becomes more grounded and practical. The focus shifts to changing how you relate to pressure, how you interpret situations, and how you lead yourself on a day-to-day basis.
For those who want to go further, this can be developed within a more structured coaching process, where there is space to consistently shift these patterns over time.
If you’re curious about how you tend to show up under pressure — and what may be influencing that beneath the surface — you’re welcome to get in touch.
I offer a small number of confidential clarity and fit conversations to explore whether this kind of work would be useful for you.
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