The Framework

The Four Natural Energies

Maximise contributions by discovering the flow and balance in your team. The four energies are the cornerstone of the Contribution Compass employee profiling system.

Activating
Inspiring
Sustaining
Refining

Activating Energy

North on the Compass

Ignites Change & Drives Innovation

The Activating energy accelerates and ignites change, bringing innovation and the ability to initiate new projects. This energy is what drives us to tackle obstacles head-on, solve problems and see new opportunities missed by others.

When In Balance

When in balance, Activating energy provides the spark that gets teams moving and keeps momentum going. It brings fresh perspectives and the courage to try new approaches.

When Out of Balance

When not in balance, Activating energy can push so hard that the team is left exhausted, and those ruled by this energy may simply consider this collateral damage of the process.

Key Strengths

  • 1
    Sparks activity and drives projects forward
  • 2
    Driven by a visionary image of the future
  • 3
    Tackles obstacles head-on
  • 4
    Sees opportunities others miss
  • 5
    Initiates new projects with enthusiasm

Potential Challenges

  • Can push so hard that the team is left exhausted
  • May consider team burnout as collateral damage
  • Too much activating energy can destroy value through relentless drive
  • May complete tasks without necessary support

Inspiring Energy

East on the Compass

Rallies Teams & Builds Engagement

Inspiring Energy ignites the spark in others. It can rally a team to support a shared vision, and encourage them to excel, individually and collectively. It listens to its teammates, builds engagement, rapport, and team spirit.

When In Balance

When in balance, Inspiring energy creates the emotional connection that makes teams feel like family. It builds the trust and camaraderie that keeps people committed.

When Out of Balance

When not in balance, Inspiring energy can result in too much attachment to the feelings of others and the inability to focus on the specifics required to achieve the result.

Key Strengths

  • 1
    Rallies teams to support shared visions
  • 2
    Builds engagement and rapport
  • 3
    Creates strong team spirit
  • 4
    Fires people up to get moving
  • 5
    Listens to teammates effectively

Potential Challenges

  • Can become too attached to feelings of others
  • May struggle to focus on specifics required for results
  • Can destroy value through inability to hold team accountable
  • May avoid getting tough when required

Sustaining Energy

South on the Compass

Implements Ideas & Nurtures Growth

Sustaining Energy brings others' ideas to life through the implementation of those ideas and the nurturing of their growth over the long term. It is grounded in reality and understands the elements, resources and pace required to achieve sustainable success.

When In Balance

When in balance, Sustaining energy provides the steady hand that turns vision into reality. It ensures that great ideas don't just stay ideas—they become lasting achievements.

When Out of Balance

When not in balance, Sustaining energy can get bogged down in the limitations of the current reality and long-standing routines that no longer serve.

Key Strengths

  • 1
    Brings ideas to life through implementation
  • 2
    Nurtures growth over the long term
  • 3
    Grounded in reality
  • 4
    Understands resources and pace for sustainable success
  • 5
    Encourages consistent application of effort

Potential Challenges

  • Can get bogged down in limitations of current reality
  • May cling to long-standing routines that no longer serve
  • Can destroy value through following tried and tested methods
  • May resist breakthrough moments

Refining Energy

West on the Compass

Analyzes Data & Optimizes Efficiency

Refining Energy brings a focus on razor-sharp detail. It cuts through the noise and identifies risk with a factual and data-based perspective. It has the ability to assess and solve complex problems, while optimising efficiency and return.

When In Balance

When in balance, Refining energy ensures quality and efficiency. It protects the team from costly mistakes and finds ways to do things better.

When Out of Balance

When not in balance, Refining energy can get lost in the numbers and analysis, losing perspective of the vision and becoming too risk averse.

Key Strengths

  • 1
    Brings razor-sharp focus on detail
  • 2
    Cuts through noise to identify risk
  • 3
    Uses factual, data-based perspective
  • 4
    Assesses and solves complex problems
  • 5
    Maximizes value through analysis

Potential Challenges

  • Can get lost in numbers and analysis
  • May lose perspective of the vision
  • Can become too risk averse
  • May focus too much on numbers without awareness of human factors

Discover Your Team's Energy Mix

Understanding the four energies is just the beginning. Discover how they combine to create the 8 unique profiles that define how your team members contribute.