Leadership is a matter of the head and the heart–it’s about results and relationships.
So, if you’re in a leadership role now or aspiring to one, the journey toward leadership greatness never ends.
Your leadership must promote a culture where feelings of loyalty and a sense of purpose are felt among all the staff.
You need to be approachable and open:
- Keep an open-door policy;
- Share information;
- Spark up non-work related conversations;
- Be human and show your sense of humor;
- Participate in volunteer or professional development activities with your employees;
- Be an advocate for your employees when they face challenges–personal or professional.
Create more psychological safety:
- When psychological safety is absent, fear is present.
- And fear is detrimental to achieving a company’s full potential.
- We just can’t be engaged or innovative when we are afraid.
- Some subscribe to the notion that fear is a motivator, but what fear does is kill trust — the ultimate demotivator.
- Create a bond with employees, and remind them of their worth;
- Praise them for their performance with specific examples for positive reinforcement;
- Keep your people in the loop regarding upcoming plans and projects, deadlines, and any changes taking place, good or bad;
- Give your employees a sense of security by ensuring that their work and status as employees are on solid ground.
Your job as a leader is to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of your people–showing that you value them not only as workers but also as human beings. And making sure you don’t leave anyone hanging by going radio silent.
- You need to develop trust, repair a relationship after a conflict, listen with empathy, and give critical feedback to build someone up.
- You need to lead with integrity:
- Lead by example, be reliable, be credible, speak with truth;
- Raise the bar and hold yourself accountable to a higher standard — one in which your followers will want to emulate;
- Follow through on your promises or commitments;
- Do the right thing;
- Be true to yourself rather than be someone you are not.
- By being who you really are, you not only trust the judgments and decisions that you make, but others trust you as well.
- They’ll respect you for standing by your values and beliefs.