Beware, The Energy Vampire

[Speed is Life]

"The Energy Bus", written by Jon Gordon.

[Nick Randall]

Just came across this term last week, then heard of it again while watching the CBS broadcast of Georgia vs Florida.

There is a book called "The Energy Bus", written by Jon Gordon. It's used by Georgia Football Head Coach Mark Richt to call out players who are dragging down his team.

In the book, there is a term for people who are negative, who can't be on time, don't perform, and cause drama in everything the do - Gordon couches them as "Energy Vampires". They suck the motivation and enthusiasm out of everyone around them, and reduces the efficiency and spirit of everyone around them. I think it s a very valid and insightful term, especially as we have discussed the concept around here at length.

That's why Terrell Owens was not worth having as a teammate, no matter his talent.

[Texican_gal]

Energy vampires can also be called time bandits. This is a real phenomenon. Clinical narcissists can also suck energy away from you and they are definitely energy vampires.

[Mickey Rourke]

Where I work another name for 'Energy Vampire' is 'manager' or 'lead man'

[TACC]

Energy vampire is a very good term.

I hate these people.

[Texican_gal]

What's a "Clinical Narcissist" and is that different than someone who has disorder and constant drama in their life? What causes someone to be this way? Bad decisions, constant inability to follow advice or get their act together, almost everything seems to go wrong for them.

Clinical I think just means they've been diagnosed. In other words, somebody with experience and a degree hangs that designation on them that surpasses one's own speculation. I'm not sure all disorder/drama creators are actually narcissists but I cannot tell you why. Don't worry, someone who knows all about this in better detail will contribute I'm sure. (late edit: with true narcissism there's a real inhuman coldness going on. Pictures painted using scary real examples by Peck & Golomb. There is no real empathy residing within a narcissist.)

I began to understand this phenom after reading Trapped in the Mirror: Adult Children of Narcissists in their Struggle for Self* by Elan Golomb and People of the Lie by M. Scott Peck.


* reading this doesn't mean a parent was a narcissist!

[bae]

People of the Lie by M. Scott Peck.

I found that book very helpful in learning how to deal with my criminal brother-in-law and sister.

[austin]

These people fill the ranks of the left.

The author states (some are paraphrased) and explains the following:
1. The evil hide their motives with lies.
2. Evil people want to appear to be good.
3. When confronted by evil, the wisest and most secure adult will usually experience confusion.
4. Evil seeks to discourage others to think for themselves (fosters dependency).
5. To oppose evil we must have an ongoing dedication to reality at all cost.

[kabar]

I'm sort of ashamed to admit I've used this phrase before but in a totally different context. The folks I've aimed that epithet at have been lonely, slow, or socially inept people that I've been kind to over the years. When people like that start to latch on to you, they'll suck you dry if you let them.

[Tom Cornelius]

Same with me Kabar...