Dealing with Low Energy (when it's not Gazprom's fault...)

It's cold. Staff are just returning from holiday. The economy sucks. The coffee maker is broken. And you've just gathered 10 people into a meeting room to brainstorm on changes to the 2009 plan. The smell of low energy is in the air.

Here are some ways, as a facilitator, you can raise the energy level of participants:

• Project energy to the group, by increasing or varying voice volume, moving around the room, using bigger gestures and more expansive body language.
• Use the mood meter to engage the group in a moment of self-awareness around the need for energy to make the session work. Use one of your arms as the "needle" on a meter, down at the side as zero energy and up high as the peak. Ask the group how its feeling, and ask everyone to “beep” at the appropriate place as the needle passes from zero toward the maximum. Tell people that they have to project more energy if it’s low, and try again. Ask for suggestions if they have trouble getting themselves out of the slump.
• Ask what’s going on (Everyone seems a bit low on energy after that delicious lunch – is that how you’re feeling?) as a prelude to having everyone swap seats, open windows, get a drink, stand up and stretch.
• Break the larger group up into pairs or trios to answer or prepare for the next session. Anything to get them talking and thinking.
• Physically rearrange the room during break.

A caffeine fix usually wears off after about 20 minutes. These interventions are longer lasting.