“Back to School!” You have seen the signs in stores, schools, and other places. I recently wrote an article for parents on how to help children have a positive experience in school. After reviewing the article today, it occurred to me that most of the same ideas apply to leadership. Therefore, what follows is the revised and condensed version for leaders.
Some of the more basic and important things leaders can do to bring success to their people are:
1. Positive attitude
Grumpiness in the workplace detracts from productivity. Positivity starts with you as a leader. Come to work with a positive attitude toward your day and your people. Use positive words. Stress the importance of each worker. Say thank you. Notice work well done and reward it. Smile. Promote laughter. Create a positive environment, and you will have happier workers, less sickness, and more productivity.
2. Balance “love and limits”
Not only children thrive under a loving structure. Unconditional acceptance paired with clear structure and expectations make people feel secure. They will respond better and uphold quality.
3. Continuos learning
Just as children need to read daily and study every day, adults need to keep expanding their minds with formal and informal learning. Provide opportunities at work and outside of work. As knowledge expands, make sure you capitalize it by designing a learning organization.
4. Encouragement
It’s easy to criticize, pointing out weaknesses more than strengths. Your people need to be inspired and feel confident. Find something positive to say every day; encourage honest efforts; reward progress (even if a task is not completed yet); promote self-reliance and self-management (don’t micro-manage); notice strengths and help people build on them.
5. Be involved
Take time to get to know your people. Leadership is a “hands-on” experience. You can’t build respect and confidence if you don’t circulate, observe, comment, and notice strengths and weaknesses. A once a year contact is not enough. You can not encourage company values, or help with problem solving and innovation if you are not around. Be present. Everyday!
6. Help your people be successful
Everybody is different and has different skills and gifts. Make it your business to know the individual potential of your people. Make sure they have enough challenges, but also that the challenges are not overwhelming. Provide extra help or training as needed. Boost personal confidence and achievement in every way you can. Success breeds more success. Some times smaller attainable goals encourage people to keep achieving and reaching out for more.
7. Look for help
If there are issues that your people, you or your team can’t solve, find someone internal or from outside that can help. Unsolved issues bring discouragement. Especially in times of transition, people can benefit from coaching or extra training. Don’t let things fester. Find solutions.
Remember. . .
A positive attitude, encouraging and noticing strengths and efforts, and your personal involvement helps your people develop an “I can” attitude. That’s how internal motivation for success is developed.
Share your thoughts
What are your experiences with basic leadership skills?
What helps you create a positive environment around you?
I would love to know what you think, so please share your thoughts with your fellow readers and myself.
Many leaders have children and grandchildren. If you want a copy of the Back to School article to learn how to help your child have a positive experience, download your free copy of the article here, and save it to your computer.
Photo by: Buy buy