Why wouldn’t you want to show your team you care?
Take the time to work with your team individually and as a group. Remember, during onboarding people train differently, the same will go when you invest time and try to motivate each individual separately. This isn’t soley about training, because that’s your job to keep people sharp and knowledgeable about your products and processes. This goes way deeper than that and we will cover some ground throughout this post. Investing in your people to show them you care about their success without tying it back to your success goes a very long way!
As managers in any field, you need to build your people up and highlight their value and what they bring to your team. Make them feel like an integral part of your organization. Most people like to be recognized publicly, but some people don’t. You have to switch up your approach to accommodate their style of recognition. I will say this in probably every post… It’s ALL about your people! You cannot do this alone, but everyone is their own individual and all have different needs, aspirations and motivational driving forces.
Your approach does not need to be on a personal level to invest in them genuinely, but by simply asking them where do they see themselves next. Find out how you can help them achieve that next step. What do they need from you to assist them in growing on a professional and/or personal level. You cannot just train and train and train, because you think you’re helping them, you are, but, only training your team in turns helps you. Ask your team members, where do they feel like they’re struggling? What do they want to focus on to achieve higher success? This will help you as well, but at least it’s their idea, focus and their goal. It will provide a feeling of self accomplishment. Always provide honest feedback, they need to understand the truth for them to grow.
What motivates people is completely different from person to person. So, how do you find out what drives each member? Simply ask them. Why did they apply to your company? Why do they want to be great? Is it the money? Is it to grow professionally? Is it just to work while they’re going to school? There is always something driving someone, your job is to find out what it is and put your energy into them to build confidence, awareness and allow them to see their full potential. A true leader wants to show their team members what is possible even when they do not see it in themselves.
Investing in your people is investing in them, without an agenda. Take time to know them. Take them to for a walk and find out what their aspirations are for their career. Be blunt with them and let them know about all of the hard work they have to put in to become successful. Be honest about the shit they have to eat from time to time, but do not let it get them disgruntled. This is all part of the growing process. You should want to be knocked down as it helps provide you with the strength to get back up. How can you learn if you dont fail? Nobody is perfect.
In closing, your biggest tools for success are the people who you lead. Make them feel like they don’t work for you, but with you. Lead the way and show them how it’s done correctly. Share your experience with them, this is your opportunity to help someone else be successful in life and to better their future. Think about what it took you to get to where you’re at. We don’t start at the top, let them know how you were able to climb the ladder. Do not ever sugarcoat anything, be as real as you can. You as a leader have the power to help change someone’s life for the better. Remember, you didn’t get to where you are on your own. It’s your turn to return the favor!
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