Contagious You

About the Author

Anese Cavanaugh is an award-winning speaker, teacher, advisor, and thinking partner to some of today’s most innovative organizations and business leaders around the world. She is devoted to helping people show up and bring their best selves to the table in order to create significant positive impact in their lives and organizations. In addition to creating and teaching the IEP Method® (Intentional Energetic Presence®), she speaks on leadership, showing up, being positively contagious, nourishing our relationship with ourselves, and creating a healthy culture.

Main Idea

In "Contagious You: Unlock Your Power to Influence, Lead, and Create the Impact You Want," Anese Cavanaugh explores the profound influence that individuals can have within their organizations through their intentions, energy, and presence. Emphasizing the importance of self-care, authenticity, and responsibility, Cavanaugh provides a roadmap for leaders to enhance their impact and foster a culture of positivity and collaboration. The book is an invitation to unlock one's power, show up intentionally, and become the change one wishes to see.

Table of Contents

1. Part I—Contagious You: Claim Your Power
   • You Are Contagious. Own It.
   • So, What Is Contagious?
2. Part II—Contagious Presence: Unlock and Nourish Your Superpowers
   • Design Your Intentional Presence. Be It.
   • The IEP Method®
3. Part III—Contagious Relating: Build, Heal, and Optimize Your Relationships
   • Other People’s Problems, Projections, and Expectations. Rise Above Them.
4. Part IV—Contagious Leadership: Inspire and Grow Others
   • Bring People With You. Enroll and Serve Them.
5. Part V—Contagious Impact: Be a Force for Good in the World
   • Create a (Positively) Contagious Culture. Live It.

Part I—Contagious You: Claim Your Power

Anese Cavanaugh begins by emphasizing that everyone is contagious, whether they realize it or not. Our intentions, energy, presence, and state of being are all contagious and impact those around us. This contagion can be positive or negative, depending on how we choose to show up.

"Our intentions, energy, presence, and state of being are all contagious. We put energy out there; we take energy on." - Anese Cavanaugh

The first step to harnessing this power is to own it. By recognizing that we have the ability to influence others through our energy and presence, we can begin to take responsibility for the impact we have. This awareness is the foundation of intentional leadership.

Cavanaugh explains that being contagious means that our emotions, attitudes, and behaviors can spread to others through direct or indirect contact. This is a powerful realization because it means that we have the ability to create positive change simply by being mindful of our own state of being.

"At the root of your contagiousness are your intentions, energy, and presence, and your Intentional Energetic Presence® (your IEP)." - Anese Cavanaugh

The IEP Method® is a cornerstone of Cavanaugh's approach. It involves being intentional about our energy and presence, and understanding that these elements are within our control. By improving these aspects, we can enhance our influence and effectiveness as leaders.

Cavanaugh discusses the importance of acknowledging our own power to influence and create impact. She encourages readers to take ownership of their contagiousness and use it to positively affect their environment. This requires a high level of self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth.