It was great to get so many emails about my blog post yesterday. Thanks for letting me know that you are out there and interested in my random thoughts on life and leadership. Today, let’s talk about leadership. I think the single most important skill a leader can possess is (drum roll here):
The ability to convey genuine regard and value for their team.
Are you surprised? Do you agree? It is okay for me to say that I was surprised? I was especially surprised 14 years ago; I thought leadership was all about getting things done. My natural approach to getting things done was to tell people what needed to be done. Can you believe it?
Interestingly enough, I found the “tell them what to do approach” worked in a crisis. It seems many people relish someone telling them what to do when swift action is needed. Yet, slow down and low and behold, they want to express their opinion. They want you to include them in the conversation. They (being your team) most often want to know not only what needs to be done, but why. People have ideas, many ideas, about the what and how, once they know the why. Will you be a leader that listens?
Interesting things happen when you’re not. The energy and passion gets sucked out of your team members, almost as if by magic. If we don’t include and value our team members, there is often a corresponding decrease in their connection and commitment to the tasks at hand.
Yet, include, value, listen, learn and allow your team the freedom to try out their ideas and make some mistakes (yes, mistakes) and you often get a corresponding increase in their connection and commitment to the tasks at hand, the team and the organization.
What do yo think? Agree? Disagree? Advice on how to show your team you truly regard and value their contributions? I want to hear what you think. You can comment here or email zohreh@piurek.com. Have a great day!
