You arrive before your Team Members/Direct Reports so you can spend reflective time and organize your agenda. You know what the most important thing is you need to accomplish today. As people start arriving you have peace of mind about the day and are available to greet everyone as they come in.
Everyone arrives early, because…
…they are keen to get started on the projects and routine work in front of them. The few minutes you take with each person asking about their commute, their family and how they are feeling today is received with appreciation. They are open to sharing because they know you genuinely care about their life situation and that it is not just a box you are checking off your do-to list. Those on your Team who work from home or other locations are met with the same enthusiasm and get looped into the projects and routines.
You know your Team is going to complete their day feeling satisfied because you have helped them find the role that best fits their skillset and temperament. Your 1-2-1 coaching sessions have revealed who is ready for a move either vertically or laterally. You have been intentional in building trust with each person and guiding everyone to discuss challenges openly and respectfully. People leave your department because they need a new challenge (retirement or reassignment) not because they are disengaged or disgruntled.
There will be issues to sort out today, there always are, but you have organized your time and energy to be available to remove the roadblocks or acquire the resources necessary to get the projects done on time. You have the ear of your Senior Leader who will respond if you need.
Is this utopia or is this what the workplace feels like to you and your Team? It’s not easy to get here, yet it is possible and so much more rewarding than other workplaces where people are motivated by fear or threat. In this scenario everyone wins: Customers; Employees; Leaders; Owners and Shareholders.
If this scenario describes your workplace and leadership reality, we want to hear from you. We are building a database of ideas and practices that make the workplace a rewarding place to spend 2000 hours every year, at work.
If your workplace is not all that it can be, contact us! We can help you retool your mindset and skillset to elevate your leadership excellence.