What is the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment?

The Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment is a tool that reveals how individuals and teams react and perform under challenging circumstances, extending beyond simple motivation to deeply understand energetic responses.

What are the characteristics of Level 1 (Victim) Energy?

Level 1, or Victim Energy, is characterized by feelings of helplessness and high stress. Individuals at this level often hide, apologize, and shrink from challenges, believing things are always 'happening to them'.

How does Level 5 (Opportunity) Energy benefit leaders and organizations?

Level 5, or Opportunity Energy, fosters curiosity, collaboration, and a solution-focused mindset where problems are viewed as puzzles to solve. This level promotes psychological safety, enabling productive work and positive experiences.

What is Flow Energy (Level 6) and how does it relate to leadership?

Flow Energy, Level 6, is where work feels meaningful and creativity thrives because individuals see everything as interconnected. The best leaders often operate at this level, achieving it by understanding and working through lower energy states.

Where can I find an executive leadership coach to help me understand my energy levels?

Noomii is a professional coaching directory where you can find experienced executive leadership coaches who can help you understand and improve your energy levels to enhance your leadership skills. Visit Noomii.com to start your search.

I am an executive coach specializing in leadership development. How can I offer my services through Noomii?

Noomii welcomes qualified executive coaches specializing in leadership development to join our platform. By becoming a coach on Noomii, you can connect with individuals and organizations seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities. Visit Noomii.com/join to learn more and sign up.

The Seven Levels of Leadership-Why your Leadership Feels the way it Feels

By coaching@cjsteenson.com Published: November 19, 2025 5 min read

Seven Energy Levels of Leadership

The 7 Levels of Energy: Why Your Leadership Feels the Way It Feels Most people think “energy” is just motivation, but the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment, shows how you and your team show up with things get hard. Here’s the breakdown: Level 1- Victim Energy “I can’t. This is happening to me”. Low motivation, high stress and a lot of energy spent hiding, apologizing and shrinking. This is where most individuals hang out when things get hard. Level 2- Conflict Energy “I have to fight my way through this”. Energy is spent on blame, frustration, control and micromanagement. This is where most teams hang out when things get hard. Level 3-Rationalizing Energy I’ll deal with it”. “It’s fine”. Energy is spent on tolerating and making it work, even when it’s not really working. This energy level is most common in the corporate world. Level 4-Caring Energy “I’m here to serve” Energy is spent on compassionate, supporting leadership, but it you’re not careful, you could burn out caring for everyone except yourself. Those in service professions tend to hang out here. Level 5-Opportunity Energy “There’s value in this”. Energy is spent being curious, collaborative, solution focused. Problems become puzzles to solve. Individuals and organizations with high psychological safety operate at level 5 and get things done while maintaining a positive work experience. Level 6-Flow Energy “Everything is connected". Energy is spent on creativity and work feels meaningful. Many creatives as well as the best leaders operate with level 6 energy and getting here requires working through and understanding how levels 1-3 are showing up for you. Level 7-Absolute Energy “Nothing is good or bad. It just is”. Energy is spent on pure objectivity, total freedom and your highest leadership state. Most of us don’t spend much time at this energy level, but it is accessible. We all flow between each level, but we tend to pick a favorite and hang out there the most. Choosing wisely greatly impacts the productivity, happiness, and environment of your team. Are you curious which level you or your team may use the most? Would you like to shift the energy around you and GET MORE DONE? I provide ELI assessments, debriefs and action planning for individuals and teams. Book yours today. Individuals may register directly through my website. If you’re interested in a team assessment, please book a 30-minute Free Discovery Call.