Three woodpeckers moved into my office.
They’ve taught me more about leadership than I expected.

When my wife and I moved to the country this year, I thought I’d found paradise.

Quiet mornings. Views for miles.

And a new office overlooking the hills.

Then came the woodpeckers.

Three of them.

Hammering away at the corner of my wooden house — right around my desk.

It sounds like working inside a jackhammer.

So I did what any problem-solving CEO would do:

I tried to fix it.

Reflective streamers. Shiny tape. Fake owls.

Now the back of my house looks like a Mardi Gras float.

Guess how effective it’s been?

Exactly.

Of course, the thought crossed my mind: “.22 rifle, quick solution.”

But that’s not really me.

So here’s my predicament: I have an energy drain I can’t (choose not to) eliminate.

We all have them — the co-worker you can’t fire, the family member you can’t abandon, the market condition you can’t control.

And yet the rule of life — and business — remains the same:

If you want to maximize gains, you must minimize drains.

But what if you can’t remove the drain?

Then you have one lever left: attitude.

Now, every time they startup, I try to remind myself:

“Every sound helps me focus.” 🤣

“God bless those little guys for carving out a life.” 🌳

“I’m so centered that not even three woodpeckers can shake my attention.” 🧘‍♂️

Is that a little ridiculous? It is.

Should you be laughing at me? I sure as hell hope so ’cause it’s pretty damn funny.

But a change in perspective is the only way to shift a stuck energy drain into neutral — or even positive.

Because if you can’t change the setting, change your attitude.

That’s how you stay free in a system that won’t bend for you.

If your company feels like it’s full of “woodpeckers,” (ha-ha) the PSIU Test will help you see where energy is draining — and how to redirect it:

👉 https://organizationalphysics.com/worlds-fastest-leadership-test/

– Lex, your CEO coach

📌 P.S.  Most energy drains don’t disappear — they just change shape. The trick is learning how to keep your energy and mindset from dissipating anyway.