How to Boost Your Career Through Utilizing Six Effective Team Building Steps
If I told you one of the most important attributes that you control is your ability to respect those whom you lead – would you believe me? How about just as important is the relationship you have with your employees and the tone/culture you set within the work environment? This reinforces the motto of treating those around you like you would also want to be treated or simply – leading by example.
I’ve written this post based upon my experiences as both someone who enjoyed leading individuals over the course of a global 20-year career in the US Air Force and upon retirement as a continuous successful leader, mentor, boss, guide and humble servant of those I’m fortunate to work side by side with daily. Nothing is more powerful than a group of contributing and motivated individuals.
Are you ready to lead?
Be Inspirational:
• When was the last time someone inspired you to take positive action either within your workplace or as an individual? What qualities did they possess that you found attractive? One first step in being more inspiring to others by observing/remembering how others made such a positive impact on you.
• When you observe other people, don’t just relate to how they impact you. See how they affect others as well. Take notice when they are talking and see if they are focused on the other person. What kind of body language are they employing?
• When looking to inspire others, make sure you practice what you preach. You should be the General who fights alongside the troops. If you aren’t willing to do something yourself, you should never expect others to do it. That doesn’t mean you have to do it, but you must be willing to do it if you see the need.
Be Authentic:
• Another important aspect of inspiring others is to be genuine. If you are someone who talks behind others’ backs, they are going to have less trust in you. When you say something, you should mean what you say. Don’t say anything that you can’t or won’t deliver.
• Believe in what you are doing. When you show others that you stick to your beliefs, they will follow your lead. If you don’t believe in what you’ve said or written in that email or policy/procedure, people will pick up on that quickly. Sometimes a leap of faith is needed from others to support what you’re doing. Without confidence, you won’t get much support. Others pick up on your spirit, and that helps them find the faith they need.
• Staying inspired yourself is a great way to inspire others. You should read the profiles of people who have inspired you. Do this as often as you can. You should set up a vision board of sayings or experiences of your influencers. You need only refer to it whenever you need a boost of inspiration. Once you have your boost, others will hone in on that, and it will inspire them as well
• Tell the truth whenever possible
Share Your Power:
• Champion other people. When you trust that others can do the job you inspire them by your acceptance of their abilities. Yes, they will still make mistakes, but when this does occur consider it a more so as a teachable moment versus an unsolvable situation. In most cases, you should continue to let them do what they need to do. Don’t cover up the mistakes of others as they won’t learn if you do. Recognize when they made the mistakes and ask if they need your help to resolve them.
• Don’t be afraid to ask their opinion regularly regarding issues/projects which will impact them
• Tell the truth whenever possible
Build Trust:
• This work culture consists of an environment in which those you should be honored to lead believe they can trust you and yes, you should also trust them.
• Treat them like the adults which they are and allow for creativity
• Avoid being a micromanager whenever possible
• Employees are entrusted with the values, vision, mission, and strategic framework within which they are expected to accomplish their jobs, allow them to do so.
• They should believe you will when possible place their best interests in alignment with the decisions needing to be made and tasks needing to be accomplished
• Tell the truth whenever possible
Lead with Mentorship Qualities:
• Truly care about those whom you lead (notice I didn’t say supervise or work with) by getting to know more about them besides their work life (name, office/desk location and/or work responsibilities)
• Find out what interests them outside of work
• What are their “important” dates over the course of the year (birthday(s)), deaths, vacation rituals, work/personal anniversaries
• Career goals beyond their current job
• If you’re willing to share some of the “big bucks” you’re making, these tend to always be a hit
• Have healthy snacks or candy in your office to encourage impromptu “stop by’s”
• Keep your door not only open, but normalize visits with the option of shutting the door if they want to talk in private
• Have a hot/cold water dispenser in your office
Sure, there’s an expense of both your time and money, however they are also investments in your team because you’re bonding with them in ways many never unfortunately experience
*Saving the most important for last is –
Communication:
• Provide it frequently and in consistent doses in good and bad times
• Seek out input from every member of the team despite their role or seniority
• Do not underestimate the value of your quiet team members (aka – the Introverts)
• Solicit how they would prefer information is presented
• Avoid blind sighting staff (suspense’s, project implications, policy impacts, etc.,)
• Tell the truth whenever possible
Implementing the above into how you currently operate may be an easy task.
If you would like to have a discussion to brainstorm and develop what a personalized plan could look for you in your current section/department – let’s have a conversation.
Managing and leading are truly one of participation which requires ongoing effort, tweaking and taking that occasional deep breath when working with that “special” individual.
Never forget that everyone regardless of their role within your office, section and/or department is important and deserves high quality supervision, management and leadership – It’s your job to provide it!
