“Lean on Me” – Your Social Battery 🔋
“Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.” — Bill Withers
That lyric feels like the perfect anthem for the Social Battery — the last stop in this resilience series.
So far, I’ve explored three of the four:
The Physical Battery — energy through movement and health.
The Intellectual Battery — curiosity, challenge, and lifelong learning.
The Spiritual Battery — purpose, values, and meaning.
Now we arrive at the Social Battery — the one powered by connection. The spark we get from others, and the spark we give back.
When it runs low, life can feel fragmented and lonely. But when it’s full, we feel rooted, supported, and alive.
And here’s the thing: in a world where AI is advancing at lightning speed — writing, designing, analysing — the value of our Social Battery will only grow. Machines can process, but they can’t connect. Algorithms can predict, but they can’t hug, laugh, or share a meal. The distinctly human energy we create together will matter more than ever.
Get Yourself out ….
Hospitality as Human Connection
Hospitality has always been more than an industry to me — it’s a way of being. At its core, it says: You belong here. You matter. This moment is for you.
That’s why I love it.
Experience and connection are inseparable. And in a future where AI will do more of the systems and logistics, the magic of hospitality — the warmth of human presence — will only become more important.
Family: The First and Last Charger
If hospitality is how I connect with the wider world, family is where my Social Battery begins and ends.
It’s the laughter at the dinner table, the walks with the dog, the simple joy of being present with the people I love most. Those everyday rituals — Sunday meals, shared stories, even the little moments that become traditions — are the deepest recharge points of all.
Because when family batteries are full, mine is too.
The Joy of Shared Experience
The Social Battery thrives on moments we share:
🍷 A glass of wine with friends.
🎭 A museum opening night that sparks conversation.
🤝 A work project where a team finds its rhythm.
These are the irreplaceable things — and they’ll only grow in value in a digital-first world. AI can create simulations of experience, but the feeling of being together is uniquely, beautifully human.
Giving as Well as Receiving
The Social Battery charges in both directions. Hospitality taught me that sometimes the deepest joy comes not from being looked after, but from looking after someone else.
Creating a space where others feel welcome, sharing food, listening fully — these acts give energy back to me too. Machines might handle tasks, but only humans can create belonging.
Made of More …..
Knowing When to Rest
And yet, I’ve also learned that constantly being “on” can deplete the Social Battery. Recharging isn’t about endless socialising — it’s about finding the right rhythm. Sometimes that’s crowds, sometimes it’s quiet. Balance is part of the charge.
Charge me up
When my Social Battery is full, I feel energised, creative, and more alive. Conversations flow, relationships deepen, and work feels meaningful.
It reinforces why I love hospitality, culture, and shared experiences — they’re not just professional passions, they’re personal recharges. And why family isn’t just part of my life — it’s the foundation of my resilience.
Because here’s the truth: none of us thrive alone. We are wired for connection. And in a world where AI is only going to get better at the technical, it’s the social — our empathy, laughter, hospitality, and human presence — that will matter more than ever.
