Your values help guide your behaviors and actions. In the workplace, these values can shape not just your day but your entire career. Your personal values may intersect with some of the biggest leadership values, such as accountability, patience and respect. One of the most important leadership values this year is compassion, say Karin Hurt and David Dye, the founders of Let’s Grow Leaders.
After a tumultuous two years, people want to know others care about them and they’re not alone. They want to be part of a team that cares about who they are rather than just what they can contribute. Dye and Hurt say people also hope for a brighter future, which is where courage and curiosity can help your team thrive.
In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we explore the three leadership values that Hurt and Dye recommend cultivating in your team right now.
1. Compassion. There are many ways to be compassionate at work, from helping a colleague who’s behind on their work to paying more attention to your colleagues’ well-being. Maybe they’re especially stressed and could benefit from a break. Dye and Hurt suggest thinking of it like this: On this team, we struggle together. My challenges are your challenges, and we’re all here to help. You can expand your compassion at work by learning more about the people you work alongside every day. You can’t “struggle” with someone if you don’t know them, say Hurt and Dye. You can also encourage your team members to reflect and connect. For example, you could say, “It sounds like you’re frustrated at not getting many prospects on the phone lately and that’s hurting your motivation. Do I have that right?” In this situation, you’re not saying their feelings are right or wrong. You are simply checking in with them so they feel understood.
2. Courage. This is another leadership value to nurture on your team because it helps people find their voice. When you have the courage to speak up and be yourself, it can boost your job performance and career mobility. You can help your team members cultivate courage at work by asking them to lead more meetings or provide more feedback. As your team practices speaking up, they won’t always do it elegantly or accurately, and that’s okay, say Hurt and Dye. It’s important to recognize the effort.
3. Curiosity. There’s value in developing inquisitive minds. When your team members are curious, they question the way things have always been done and look for ways to make processes better. Dye and Hurt say this leadership value is especially important this year as businesses reimagine how they work. You can help your team members become more curious at work by inviting them to share more of their ideas and to think about any roadblocks getting in their way. When you ask, you may get some interesting ideas on how your team could work more effectively.
Think about how your team can develop more compassion, courage and curiosity. When these values align on your team, everyone benefits.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Karin Hurt and David Dye are leadership experts, keynote speakers and the award-winning authors of Winning Well: A Manager’s Guide to Getting Results Without Losing Your Soul. They are the founders of Let’s Grow Leaders, an international leadership consulting firm.
