So, who do people want to work with? What makes one leader attractive and another the bane of the workplace? Why do people flock to some leaders and workplaces and fly from others? Why do some leaders retain skilled team members and others chase employees through revolving doors. The answer is focus. If you’re in a leadership role, who are you focused on—yourself or your team?
Who Would you Rather Work For?
Service leadership – Leaders primarily focused selfishly will find it difficult to develop a loyal team. In today’s fast-moving, quick-changing society it’s difficult enough to retain valuable employees without adding self-centered management to the equation. True leaders serve others.
Security – Notwithstanding that the only real security in this world is what an individual does and brings, it’s important that a leader provide everything in their power to add stability to the workplace.
Recognition – There may be nothing more critical to effective leadership than recognizing results, activities, and character. Why Recognition is Nice but Specific Recognition is a Game Changer.
Mentoring – The best leaders share knowledge and experience with their team.
Transparency – Attractive leaders share the truth—even when it hurts.
Room – Micro-management is one of the surest ways to becoming an unattractive manager. People need room to do their job—give it to them.
An ear – People want a boss they can talk to, someone who will listen, and who will occasionally use their suggestions and ideas.
Commitment – Team members want to know their leaders are committed to the company’s culture, vision, and employees.
Passion – Passionate leaders bring out the passion in others. A passion-filled work environment is a great place to work.
Do People Want to Work with You?
If people don’t want to work with you, if your workplace has become a revolving door, if you find yourself continuously recruiting—then you need to analyze why. Turnover is expensive. It’s expensive to place ads and recruit. It’s expensive to train. And losing business due to the lack of trained workers is expensive. When a valuable employee leaves, do they feel guilty about leaving or like a weight has been lifted? If it’s a weight off their shoulders—you may be the burden. Are you a burden or a blessing?
How Can I Help You?
I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me.
So, does your business have a management training plan? Because, if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.
If you enjoyed this post you might appreciate, What Makes A Leader Attractive?
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
