Many organisations wonder how they can keep their employees healthy, motivated and productive. According to organisational psychologist Sandra Klijn, the answer lies in a factor that is often overlooked: personal energy. Employees who work in a way that aligns with their core values feel more energised, and perform better.
“In my research, I identified four types of personal energy at work: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy. All of these contribute to how fit, motivated and productive people feel,” Klijn explains. “Employees who feel supported by their environment and who regularly have opportunities to recover are better able to maintain their energy throughout the day.”
Energy as a key to well-being and productivity
Klijn studied how employees experience energy at work, which factors influence it, and how it relates to health, absenteeism and performance. She examined not only the work environment, but also personal choices and recovery moments.
One striking finding: employees experience more energy when they are aware of their personal core values, such as honesty, creativity or caring for others, and act in alignment with them.
“People who can work in a way that fits who they are feel more vital and function better,” Klijn says. “We call this core values behavior: identifying your personal values and consciously acting in line with what you find important.”
Practical insights for organisations
According to Klijn, organisations can do a great deal to strengthen employees’ personal energy. By offering space for recovery and helping people recognise and live by their core values, organisations can prevent burnout and foster sustainable work engagement.
This can involve encouraging team conversations about personal values and motivations, designing roles that offer enough autonomy, and integrating recovery moments into the workday, such as short breaks or flexible working hours.
“Values-driven work is not a mental workout,” Klijn emphasises. “It is the result of conscious choices and actions that help people stay close to themselves and build resilience.”