As a leader, whether of a family, team, organization or country, you are in a position of influence. And whether you are conscious of what sort of influence you are having or not, you are still influencing.
For example, a manager who always is quick to scold, criticize or belittle has used her influence to set the tone of the facility that says, “Making others wrong is fine by me, in fact, is promoted by me.” Guess how your team members will respond?
The corollary is if a team leader consistently is true to her word, gives others the benefit of the doubt, makes decisions after asking for the thoughts of her core team members and treats others as fellow human beings, she is influencing the strategy and responses of the workplace also. But the message is different. It says, “Being trustworthy and egalitarian are attributes I value and so value them when I see others doing them.”
It is human nature to want to be accepted and appreciated. As a child we are taught it is easier when we make mom or dad happy, not irritated. We begin to adapt our behaviors so we fit in, at least until we are old enough to want to not fit in with our parents any longer. Let’s imagine at our job, we have chosen to be there, we have been hired for our unique attributes and want to excel. What is the best way to do that? Give the boss what he wants.
This is why it is all important for a boss to be conscious of the messages he is sending the rest of the company. This establishes the template or standard for how his people can operate. There don’t have to be spoken words, since actions speak louder anyway, but if actions are consistent, the message is consistent. Treat others how you want to be treated, give others the benefit of the doubt, listen as if someone were your equal.
Bottom line, companies that encourage openness and a safe environment (they won’t get their heads chewed off for some random reason) are always more apt to be more creative, engage in more risk taking ideas, be a more considerate team player and more loyal. Why would they want to leave, if they feel honored and appreciated there?
So it is to the benefit of the entire company for you as a leader to use your influence in a conscious way, raising the standard and the employee satisfaction.
There is no greater test of humanity than for one to treat others as to how you want to be treated
” Especially ” if you are the Boss! Being a good Boss though,means that you are conscious of how your employees view you as setting the standard of what you expect from them.
The story of every good company begins with the many trials, mistakes and troublesome events that the company labored through to get to its status of achievement. The story of every good company also boils down to how good of a team they have and how well they worked together. Each team member has to be excepted and respected for their potential. The Boss who is the figurative ” Coach” of the Team has to skillfully balance the talents of the Team as well as test the abilities of the Team collectively or individually. How better than to ” Pass Them The Ball ” once in while and see how they play. Show them that you trust them and give them the confidence to perform or express themselves as you believed in them when you hired them. The great Michael Jordan fired off 24,537 shots at the basket and missed 12,345 of them but went down in history as one of the greatest basketball players who made over 49% of his shots and led his Team to 6 league championships. What if Phil Jackson would have set him on the bench after he missed a few shots?
Every Boss needs to show his employees that he values the trust he puts in them by ” Passing Them The Ball ” giving them the opportunity to express themselves or prove their worth without bias or malice. Their performance may not be prolific but a many of games have been won by ” One point ” The difference of a profit or loss for a company can also be measured by ” One Point “
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm! I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for taking the time to share too, it’s appreciated. Julie