Some leaders are remembered for their impressive leadership maneuvers, but some are not only remembered– they are loved too– because they knew exactly how to take care of the people around them. What makes a leader great? The criteria are vast and plenty, but you can always begin with these:
Take Care of Your Team, and They’ll Take Care of You
Warren Buffet is one of the most loyal and popular supporters of this thought. If you take care of the people who work for you, they will take care of you in return. In corporate environments, ‘care’ for a coworker is often expressed through positive reinforcement, support in projects, and more famously, bonuses.
The “care” you provide them obviously goes beyond providing positive reinforcement and bonuses when they perform above and beyond the call of duty. You can also show your support by ensuring that your team is working comfortably in a healthy work environment. Despite all the regulations that foster healthy offices, many workplaces today still fail at providing work solutions that stick, starting with office equipment and furniture.
The unfortunate truth is that many offices today are not equipped with ergonomic equipment, like sit and stand desks, which are designed to ensure that its users are protected from the risks of musculoskeletal discomforts, aches, and pains.
Don’t Just Explain the What’s, Also Explain the Why’s
Many leaders see the act of delegating tasks as a time to tell employees what they should do while forgetting the “why’s”. In the grand scheme of things, the “why” is always just as important as the “what”. If anything, in corporate environments, the “why’s” will always tend to be weightier than the “what’s”.
Next time you explain a concept, a goal, or a mission to your team, never forget to take time to explain why you are doing what you are doing. Explaining the “why” puts you and your team on the same page; and rather than having them work blind, it is always better to describe the overall vision so they can work towards it and make independent decisions, if need be, with the goal in mind.
See How Your Team is Doing During the Process
Many supervisors and managers are notorious at assigning duties and immediately disappearing right around the time they are needed the most. It goes without saying that these are the types of managers that many employees will not trust, mainly because they are not showing the support the employees need themselves.
To foster a sense of care, check in with your time while they are working on their tasks. Be there during the tensest parts of the job, and because that is when they are actually doing the task at hand.
Set Deadlines
Setting deadlines is not only a logical approach to encouraging better productivity, but it also helps employees focus on the task at hand. Remember, however, that when setting deadlines, they should be rational and generous. Ensure that the timeframes are logical and that you take into account that sometimes, delays and unforeseeable issues may occur.
Set Rational Expectations
In the process of setting deadlines, set rational expectations, as well. If you want to motivate your team further, you may even set rewards and consequences. Despite the adult environment in an office, employees working there will still find joy and motivation in bonuses and rewards, so if the budget allows it, encourage your team by rewarding them when they perform well.
In Sum, Play With Your Team
To create a strong team, grace your employees with your personal business wisdom and stories of success. Baring your own success story, struggles, doubts, and expectations makes you more relatable, and this ultimately creates a link between you and your team.
Play with your team, and during their most challenging moments, be there with them and for them.
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