Leadership is no Sunday stroll in the park. It’s more like a hike up a steep, rocky mountain, often in unpredictable weather. You’ll face challenges that’ll test you and moments that’ll have you questioning if you’re cut out for it.
Whenever I deliver keynotes on leadership topics, I touch on the most critical aspect leaders need to become exceptional: you have to value your people.
If this has got you pondering whether your team feels genuinely appreciated and valued, there are some tried-and-true methods you can use to elevate your leadership game. Let me share a few practical tips to help you along the way.
1. Believe in your people’s capabilities
This is another way of saying, “Have faith in people,” because true leadership lies in having faith in your team’s abilities. Leaders must release control and believe their people are savvy and will do amazing things once given the tools to succeed.
To believe in your team, you need to know their strengths. Take the time to understand what each team member excels at. This isn’t about just looking at resumes; it’s about observing their actions, listening to their ideas, and recognizing their unique talents.
2. Respect those you lead
In today’s fast-paced business world, workplace toxicity has become a serious issue, messing with employees and companies alike.
Primarily defined as straight-up rude or disrespectful behaviors that break the code of respect and professionalism, workplace toxicity can mess up your workflow, tank your employees’ job satisfaction, and even put a dent in your company’s productivity.
Experts have revealed several simple ways companies can incorporate more respect and civility into their culture to break the cycle of toxic behaviors. One of those techniques that should be modeled across an organization is gratitude.
Take a moment to thank your colleagues when they excel at their tasks or extend a helping hand. As a boss, acknowledging your team’s efforts with specific and meaningful praise boosts morale and motivates them to perform even better.
3. Respond to the needs of your people
Great leaders show an interest in their people’s jobs and career aspirations. They look into the future to create learning and development opportunities for them. They discover what motivates their best people by getting to know what drives them.
Knowing what makes each of the members of your team get up in the morning can help leaders develop work employees will care about — the kind of purposeful work that ties into an organization’s larger goals or mission.
4. Provide autonomy with accountability
Empowering your team doesn’t mean abandoning them. Sure, today’s talent wants the freedom to collaborate, innovate, and self-organize. But this also means giving them the freedom to make decisions while holding them accountable for the outcomes. Trust your team to make the right choices and be there to guide and support when needed.
