The Leadership 411 series is a compilation of tips and tricks about leadership development. These tidbits have been posted for information and awareness, and are occasionally used on social media for general engagement and conversation.
- Focus on outcomes, and give team members time, space, and support to carve out their own path
- Treat each team member as a unique individual, and tailor your approach and style to what they need, and not what you want
- It is okay to have high expectations of your team members; just remember that this is a two-way street and the leader has to meet the team's expectations first
- Negative re-enforcements and penalties don't yield sustainable results and demoralize team members; be there to support and coach them
- Monetary rewards are not the only levers you have at your disposal; think about what are your team members' intrinsic motivators? Connect with them at a deeper level!
- Communicate with clarity; state the intent of the communication, the desired outcome and allow team members time to digest the information and ask questions
- Set a vision, and inspire team members with a concrete picture of the future possibilities
- Delegate decision making at appropriate levels to empower team members and maximize their productivity
- Invest in team member development, not only through sponsored trainings but through frequent check-ins such as 1-on-1s, career development discussions and informal connects
- Help team members realize their potential through coaching (versus managing), open and transparent communication, and integrity
- Embrace a supportive role, and focus on active listening and learning from your team members
- Encourage team members to self-organize and make good judgment calls - provide coaching and re-enforcements as appropriate
- Be genuine and sincere; share your appreciation for great work done by the team often
- Foster a team environment that encourages healthy conflict and constructive discussion
- Look to build a diverse team with a multitude of perspectives, experiences, personalities, and skill sets to avoid groupthink
- Gain genuine respect and support of your team members by being a supportive leader who consistently acts with integrity despite complex and challenging circumstances
- Worry less about being liked, and focus more on doing the right thing
- Be open to being challenged; listen and understand other perspectives
- Regardless of your subject matter expertise, acknowledge that team members are on the ground doing the work today and respect their experiences and opinions
- Establish ground rules and norms with the team to have a common understanding of acceptable behaviors, and to build a diverse and inclusive team culture
- Regardless of your position in the organization, take the time to walk the "hallways", talk to the team members, and be grounded
- Demonstrate courage, resilience, and decisiveness in the face of a crisis, while continuing to lead the team with resolve towards the end goal
- Be confident and competent in your subject matter, but courageous enough to ask the team for support and input when you are in doubt
- Demonstrate courage by taking accountability for setbacks and mistakes made under your purview, and focus on learning from the incident
- Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and invest in your own development; find a mentor who can help you evolve as a leader
- Be human and that requires being emotionally aware and available; build long-lasting relationships by being sensitive to different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences
- Shield your team members from external pressures and influences, so they can focus on their works and be productive
- Know your limits and set clear expectations with the team so there is a mutual understanding of clear boundaries that cannot be crossed
