Are You A Leader?
What does leadership mean to you? Most managers never sit down and think about their leadership skills, rather they try to manage people as they do their projects. Leadership is necessary not only with the top executives, but for any person who has an employee reporting to them. You are leading even if you just say you are a “manager.”
All people, no matter what their role is in a company, thrive on appreciation. If your belief as a manager is to respect and honor each person and what they contribute, you will see a difference in performance. If you believe that employees will try to steal time or property and you have to micromanage their behaviors, that is what you will get. What you send out is what you receive.
That’s why it’s important to view yourself as a leader.
How do you want to inspire your employees and
how is their happiness part of the success of the company?
In life there are two distinct motivators for people – love and fear. Are you the type of manager that manages with fear…they will lose their job if they don’t perform? Do you believe that critiquing the weaknesses is more important than appreciating the strengths that each person brings to the table? What if you were to reframe your approach when “leading” your team members. What if you decide you would still provide guidelines and structure for the team, but you would view each person with appreciation.
I found this interesting post “Can We Stop “Managing” People?” on Leadingaslove.com The main thrust of this article is “we lead people and manage things.”
As a viable and sustainable alternative for true growth, we can lead performance enhancement by practicing and responding with care, understanding and respect. Isn’t that what we want, performance enhancement and business expansion.
Change can happen. Even if you have struggled with your leadership skills, you can start today. First step back and honestly view your leadership style. Most of the time, managers that use control as their form of leadership skills, are fearful themselves that they will not have control over things. Take the time to access your performance and your team’s performance. Do they feel appreciated? Do you feel appreciated?
Taking the time to treat others with care and respect doesn’t distract from business deliverables, rather enhances your team’s performance. Have a simple mantra:
“all employees want to be appreciated.”
Be well,
Pat
