How To L.E.A.D.
LOVE your people
This may sound too soft and perhaps even a waste of time. However, all relationships are based on trust. To build trust with anyone requires a certain level of care and honesty. Both care and honesty stem from love. For example, friendships are based on this very principle: “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.”
Can cold leaders create warm organizations?
- When an organization decides to treat people without love – harsh, cold, indifferent, or “your just a number” – expect your people to act the same. Your culture will mirror you. It starts with you! When people no longer feel “the love” from you, they will go to someone else.
- So, who needs your love right now? Who needs to know that you actually do care? The first step could simply be to schedule some time to check-in. Ask relational questions: How are you? How are you really? How’s your family? If you have been too distant for too long, simply apologize for that, and let him / her know you intend to get better.
ENCOURAGE your people
Look for what your people are “doing right!” Take the time to visit your leaders and share with them what they are “doing right!” Tell them how much you appreciate them. Schedule training times to address the things that need improvement. Begin these training times by highlighting what they are “doing right” and then take some time to share intended outcomes / improvements.
- When you spend more time looking for what they are “doing right” you will notice an uptick in their demeanor. Instead of scattering like roaches when you arrive on the scene – your people will begin to welcome your visits. A word of caution: your people can tell if you are sincere. Don’t try pretense or any snake oil tactics.
ASSIST your people
Do you really want your people to feel encouraged? Beyond the words, take the initiative and implement action. Come along side your leaders and help them carry out one of their responsibilities. If your leaders already know that you care about them, they will be more open to your assistance.
- So how do you begin down this path? Ask to do a “ride along”! Sales mangers are privy to this term. It just means that you spend an hour or two working on a task together – making calls, meeting clients, etc. It’s amazing how much more productive your people will become when you show up to provide them a helping hand. Your willingness to serve your leaders will raise their willingness to do the same.
DEVELOP your people
Do you want to empower your people to get better? Do you want to see them thrive? Invest in your people! Scheduling time to sit down with your people to discuss their desires, challenges, and dreams will lead to greater dividends! Ask your people to create personal growth plans – focusing on areas for improvement such as attitude, productivity, & specific skills: sales calls, presenting, networking, etc.
- So what is hindering their growth? What resources do they need? Now, go ahead and provide the resources! Make it a point to check-in on their progress at regular intervals to encourage their progress. BTW: How would you feel if your boss sincerely invested in your growth? Why not L.E.A.D. the way?
Next Step
- Can you imagine doing these 4 simple actions with your leaders this year?
- What difference would it make to bring L.E.A.D. to your team?
- What if your team learned to do the same?
