Michael interviews Ehsan Ehtesad, organizational psychologist and co-founder/CEO of Mia Science, about building healthy, high-performance teams by focusing on recharging rather than constant intensity. Drawing on nearly 400 interviews with CEOs, surgeons, and champions, Ehsan contrasts time management with energy management and argues that effective recovery comes from doing the opposite of what drains you at work. They discuss sustaining excellence as a marathon, resting along the way, using rhythms of focus and recovery, and leaders’ responsibility to create supportive cultures where people can communicate low energy without judgment. Ehsan shares metaphors about charging batteries and leaders as thermostats, and recommends writing a personal recharging plan on good days for use on bad days.

Timestamps:

00:24 Welcome
01:12 Meet Ehsan Ehtesad
02:18 Why Workplaces Matter
04:01 400 Interviews Insights
05:34 Energy Over Time
06:46 Opposite Recharge Rule
08:57 Redefining Productivity
09:50 Marathon Pace and Cycles
12:30 Rest on the Way
14:16 Team Energy Language
17:53 Support Not Judgment
23:51 Rituals and Thermostat
28:53 Intentional Culture Systems
30:22 Personal Recharge Plan
32:13 Funeral Message Question
34:11 Where to Follow Ehsan
35:07 Closing

Connect with Ehsan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehsanetezad/
https://ehsanetezad.com
https://www.youtube.com/@EhsanEtezad
https://www.instagram.com/ehsanetezad/
https://x.com/EhsanEtezad


Michael's National Workforce Study on Change Management:
https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/research