We all have moments that jolt us into awareness. Years ago, one of mine came ten minutes into what I thought was a 20-minute presentation – when I was suddenly out of time. It wasn’t a planning blunder. It was the consequence of a familiar pattern resurfacing: a working relationship that started well had deteriorated, just like so many others in my career.
That moment forced me to reflect on what I was bringing into my interactions – my mindset, emotions, and assumptions. When I changed my mindset, and acted in alignment with my intentions, my internal shift was immediate.
That experience planted the seed for “Personal Energy Mapping” (PEM) – a model I developed to support professionals to move from feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or frustrated, and who are ready to take responsibility to create change from within themselves.
Since then, I’ve introduced PEM to coaching clients in NHS. The outcomes speak volumes: three promotions, a new better paying job, two Zenith Global Health Award winners, academic publications, and a renewed sense of clarity. PEM enhances performance – through personal transformation, reveals self-insights that draw one to change something in their life from within themselves.
PEM belongs in organisations that care about their people.
What is Personal Energy Mapping?
I define personal development as the inevitable internal transformation that occurs when someone pays attention to their emotions, beliefs, and responses, then chooses aligned action. PEM helps people do just that – using structured reflection and creative coaching techniques to build reflexivity – the ability to get into alignment the moment.
Try PEM yourself: here’s a taster (Energy: Feelings). Let’s take one core Personal Energy-feelings-and walk through PEM.
Scenario: “Jodie,” a manager, is preparing to facilitate a conversation between two team members who are in conflict.
Step 1: Describe the situation
“Jodie” names what’s happening and what role she plays.
Step 2: Notice how you feel
Is “Jodie”: dreading the meeting? Feeling like a frustrated parent? Calm and hopeful? PEM encourages noticing these emotions, not judging them. This awareness matters—because she will unintentionally project that emotional energy e.g., through body language, before saying a word; with the team members will receive and interpret according to their perceptions.
Step 3: Set your intention
What outcome does “Jodie” want? Perhaps calm resolution. She decides to remain neutral and open—no eye-rolling, sighing, tutting or subtle expressions of frustration. Setting this intention helps her shift her inner state.
Step 4: Act in alignment
During the meeting, “Jodie” is aware of and takes notice of her feelings. If irritation creeps in, “Jodie” gently re-aligns to her intention to be calm.
Now imagine the dynamic of “Jodie’s” meeting if both team members had separately completed a Personal Energy Map of the event, beforehand, set and stated their intentions at the start of the meeting. The energy would be one making space for reflective listening, accountability, and a constructive outcome.
Why PEM Matters to HR
PEM offers a simple and transformative addition to your people development strategy. It’s especially effective because it works with individuals’ contexts and experiences and builds ongoing reflective practice. As PEM is a process, it cultivates long-term behavioural change.
Some key applications
PEM helps the staff in the body of the organisation to approach e.g., appraisal objective(s) with aligned intention, purpose and even more confidence.
Team leaders and project managers could use PEM to align themselves and others with shared outcomes while navigating differences with less emotional impact.
For executives and directors, PEM supports enhanced decision-making.
Integrating PEM with existing programmes
PEM complements what skills training you already offer. It helps employees integrate formal learning by aligning it with their mindset, values, and personal sense of purpose.
Where training might teach “what to do,” PEM develops the internal capacity to do it -consistently and meaningfully.
Personal Energy Mapping in practice
With regular practice, PEM helps professionals:
• Move from reactivity to responsiveness,
• Shift from blame others to taking self-responsibility,
• Navigate change, feedback, and challenge with more grounded confidence,
• Develop a deeper sense of meaning and purpose at work.
Importantly, PEM is not about perfection. It’s about choosing in real-time alignment with what matters most.
A reflective workforce is a resilient one
With organisational culture, retention, engagement, wellbeing and Equality Diversity & Inclusion high on the HR agenda, Personal Energy Mapping offers a fresh way forward.
PEM invites professionals to slow down, reflect, and act with purpose – so they’re working well. It’s not a quick fix, but it is sustainable. And the benefits ripple from individual to team to organisation.
So, the next time a colleague or staff member says they “hate their job,” perhaps they’re out of alignment. And PEM can help them find it.
Dr Clara Kalu is an Executive Coach and creator of Personal Energy Mapping (PEM). She helps professionals cultivate aligned action, emotional clarity, and intentional personal growth.
