As a leader, you want to be liked. You want to be trusted and respected. There are times you must make hard decisions, set boundaries, and fight what looks like an uphill battle. Part of leadership is about balancing your desire to be liked and making tough decisions. How do you get your people on board with you, where they will follow you into any battle and love it?
A good leader creates a win-win environment. It’s not about you, it’s about them. What will they get out of it? How will they benefit?
Create the bigger picture. Many people like to be a part of something bigger than themselves, so share with them the bigger picture, the vision for the project, the division, or the company. Show them where they fit into it. Paint them an image of how what they do impacts and affects the vision and because of them, the vision is able to come to fruition. They will take ownership of their part and feel responsible for that specific area, which creates an intensified desire for that area, their part, to succeed. They don’t want the vision to fail because of them, so they will make sure they not only do their part but they do it to the best of their abilities. SHARE THIS!
Give them an opportunity to succeed. People want to succeed but often they are given reasons to fail. How this won’t work. Why this won’t work. They are told “You figure it out” instead of let’s figure this out together or let me lift you on my shoulders. Making this tweak on how you approach situations lets them know you are in their corner. You support them. They feel seen, heard, and appreciated. That is priceless. You want them to succeed. Because when they succeed, you all succeed. TWEET THIS!
Develop a team atmosphere. No one wants to walk into work feeling like an island, no matter what his job is. They shouldn’t have to do life or work alone. Build the “we are one” mentality. When “team” is instilled in them every day, they start to live, eat, and breathe it. They start to feel like they are part of a community. They have support. They feel that others are cheering from them, rooting them on, and want them to succeed, and this does something to them inside. It changes the way they approach work, projects, and their job. They become part of a unit. They know they are part of a family. They will go to bat for you harder and faster, because you’ve given them something most others can’t…a place they belong. SHARE THIS!
When a good leader gives his people these three things, something incredible happens. You’re doing it for them, but it comes back to you ten-fold. Because you’re looking out for them, because you’re helping them succeed, because you include them in the vision, and because it’s about them, they will respect you more. They will like you more. They will trust you more. It becomes a win-win for everyone. They will work harder, longer. And they will go into any battle their leader and love it, because they know you will have their back. After all, that’s what a team does for each other. SHARE THIS!
We want to hear from you. In the comments below, share with us what you think makes a good leader.
Jessica Rector’s mission is simple: transform lives. With a BBA, MBA and BS, Jessica started, hosted, and produced her own TV talk show in Los Angeles with just an idea to help others which launched her first company jessICAREctor International. As someone who attempted suicide as a teen, had a lot of self-judgment around being a single parent, and has a brother who died by suicide, Jessica knows challenges, issues, and pain and how to turn them into something good. Through her own experiences, research, and strategies, she helps you break through your inner struggles and free yourself. As a thought leader, keynote speaker, and author, Jessica consults with companies, coaches individuals, and speaks at conferences, conventions, and organizations helping you change what you say to yourself about yourself to change your thoughts and actions to change your life. Jessica is a Contributor for The Huffington Post and The Good Men Project and has been seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Business Journal, and Market Watch. Get Jessica’s third book, Breaking the Silence: Taking the Sh out of Shame at jessicarector.com. Follow her on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.
