The foundation of any relationship, both personal and professional, is honesty.People want to work for a leader they can trust−a leader that has morals, values, and integrity.
They want to work for a company that offers a great product or service they can believe in, and that has an honorable reputation.
“Honest Abe,” or Abraham Lincoln, is said to have been one of the greatest Presidents to ever lead our country, and he didn’t achieve his success or earn that nickname by being dishonest.
Your workers want to feel good about their jobs−it’s important to establish core values for both the business and yourself as a leader, and to then live and lead by those values as an example to your employees.
Communication
Without clear communication, your employees won’t understand your mission, goals, and vision.
Employees want to work toward something they believe in, so it’s important they understand that they are working toward the same goals you are. Communication should also be
consistent in establishing work expectations, giving constructive feedback, and in training new employees. With great communication, your employees will know exactly what they are working for, will rely on you, and will give their best effort for you.
Confidence
When things go wrong, employees look to you for the answers and judge the situation based
upon your reaction. Even if the company is experiencing a major downturn, it’s important to always be confident, calm, and set a good example. If you aren’t confident with the
organization in a situation, then be confident in your own leadership skills.
Your job is to maintain the happy work environment, and continue leading the team in their daily work.
Inspiration
Whether you’re starting a new business, or you’re leading a team in a business that’s already been established, it’s important to get employees invested in the vision and future of the company.
You must be inspired and invested in the company in order to inspire others, like Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google. The product of their own inspiration has inspired millions of others across the world, and has significantly impacted the world
we live in today.
Though inspiration often looks forward to the future, it’s also important for the present; it gives employees a reason to work, to succeed, and to do their best in everything they do.
Make them feel invested in the company through inspiration and they’ll be loyal, hard-working employees.
Positivity
Regardless of the situation, always stay positive. Positivity is essential to productivity, employee happiness, and work environment. When mistakes are made- even if
they are serious, it’s important to look at the bright side of things. You are setting the tone for the work day, and your attitude directly affects those under your leadership. Bringing snacks, giving compliments, and even showing an appropriate interest in an
employee’s personal life can have a significant impact on their work day.
Delegation
If there is a highly-important project, it can be difficult to trust employees without micromanaging. Trusting them to do their best possible work is a sign of strength in your
leadership, and will encourage them to live up to your expectations. When it comes to
delegation, the idea is to decide what strengths each employee possesses, and to assign them tasks that best fit those strengths. The ability to delegate successfully will lead to higher quality work and productivity.
Commitment
Nothing shows commitment and humility like getting your hands dirty with the rest of the
workers. Showing your commitment sets the example for others to follow, and leads to greater loyalty and respect for you as a leader. Always be committed in whatever you do,
whether it is a promise to have a holiday party, a day off, or a meeting time. You are in the spotlight as a leader, and you will be judged harder for your actions than others will be. Set
the tone of commitment, and others will follow suit.
Humor
Although not a requirement, a sense of humor goes a long way in leadership. It helps create a positive work environment and enhances the feeling of camaraderie. Warren Buffett, for example, once said, “I buy expensive suits. They just look cheap on me.” Your unique
personality and sense of humor shows your employees that you are more than a leader, and that you aren’t a machine, which encourages them to feel comfortable around you.
Creativity
Some decisions have to be made quickly, and catch us by surprise. In times like these, it’s up to you to think outside the box to find a solution. Your team will be looking to you in these situations for guidance, so a quick decision must also be a good decision. Henry Ford
faced a situation like this when demand for his vehicles was so high he couldn’t possibly keep up. Instead of making the obvious decision to hire more people, he thought with creativity and developed the assembly line. You may even brainstorm with your team to build upon some of your ideas. When your employees are involved in a decision or idea, they often feel
more invested, respected, and important.
When you are in a situation where creativity is necessary, your creativity level and experience can either gain your employees’ loyalty and respect, or damage it. Intuition
Sometimes we are presented with situations that aren’t in the textbooks, and for which you might not be prepared as a leader. The first decision isn’t always the best one, and taking your time to come up with a unique solution can be in the best interest of your workers and
organization.
Sometimes, leaders have to draw upon their instincts, past experiences, and mentors for help in these complicated situations.
Writer: Olawale David Oyinlade.