How is your relationship with those you lead?
When was the last time you assessed your relationship with your team? Do you check in with them to see how they feel about your leadership? Have you asked if there was something they are curious about or want to discuss about your leadership, the way you execute, a decision you made or the impact of a leadership decision? How about your leadership style, do they know what to expect from you? Are there inconsistencies, or are you a predictable leader with consistent values?
When asked this question, many leaders tell me they never do, seldom ask or the one that is most telling, they are afraid to ask because they don’t want to hear the response.
Having great leadership relations is good for business. Take a look at the stock market, are buyers bidding on the companies with erratic swings or are they buying the stocks that show steady consistent growth or are steadily holding their own? People as much as they may deny it likes consistency. We want to be able to predict the outcome or feel safe about our decisions.
Employees who work with erratic leaders have a higher rate of stress. They are more anxious and more prone to headaches, anxiety disorders and even mental health diseases.
As a leader, it is impossible to please everyone. It is however possible to have good and even great relationships with those you lead. Leaders who improve their relationships with their employees see an increase in productivity, employee engagement and commitment to the organization. They also notice reduce turnover and higher productivity.
I want to challenge you to do a check in with your team as you come to the end of the year. Ask if there is something they want to see more of or less of in the coming year. If you are afraid to ask some of the deeper questions above, this is a safe and easier way to begin to enhance your connection and relationship with those you lead.
Being a relational leader allows you to show a calmer, more compassionate and empathetic side of yourself with your employees. This helps to form bonds to you and to your company.