I was listening to an audio recording recently entitled
‘great leadership creates great workspaces’ with Jim Kouzes, one of the authors
of the book The Leadership Challenge. Whilst there was nothing really new in
what he was saying it was backed up by global research that focussed on what
great leaders do to engage their people.
The one item that did make me sit up was the relationship
between values and commitment.
The Relationship
between Values and Commitment
From the research Jim
Kouzes and his colleague Barry Posner conducted they found that the highest
levels of commitment from individuals occurred when they were clear about their
own values irrespective of whether they understood the organisations value.
So let’s start with you, the leader. Do you know your own
values and what you stand for? If you can’t rattle the top 3 off the top of
your head I’d argue that you don’t, and I make no apologies for being so blunt
about it…
If you don’t know your values there’s no chance that your
team will know what you care about, or what is important to you. Values drive
our decision-making and in a leadership position will help your team know what
is likely to motivate you to say yes or no to a decision that is required.
Great Leaders Connect
with their People
I’ve heard it all before I hear you say…. And I agree with
you. The question for you to consider is - do
you connect with your people?
Leadership is personal. We are all different. We have
different needs and different motivations. Do you know exactly what it is that
motivates each and every member of your team? Are you able to talk to these
when you have your one to one meetings and conversations with them? Do you even
have regular one to one meetings??!!
Yes, I know it takes time. That time is an up front
investment cost. You’ll easily regain that time over the weeks and months to
come through being ‘in-tune’ with that person and the increased level of
productivity you’re likely to gain.
Take Time out
If you don’t know your
own values in relation to the work you do I suggest you take some time out now
and do just that. There are many ways for you to do this and if you are not
sure how download my personal
branding demystified booklet, as there is an exercise in it that will help
you, or alternatively give me a call. There is a quick and easy method I use that
can then be used with members of your team.
Hopefully, you’ll then begin to engage and connect with your
team on a whole new level.
‘You can make more
friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in
two years by trying to get people interested in you.”
Dale Carnegie
No comments:
Post a Comment