We’ve all heard the saying that “a team is only as strong as its weakest link,” but the number of business leaders choosing to ignore this sentiment is staggering, as they are more concerned with their own development and less so with their employees.
Investing time in your employees and giving them the tools they need to develop is incredibly important for output quality, morale and retention, as well as for bottom-line success in this business. Promotional Consultant Today shares these four ways leaders can help their employees to flourish.
1. Become a mentor. When mentors come on board, professionals are likely to excel at a quicker rate than those who chose to go it alone. A number of influential leaders—Sheryl Sandberg, Indra Nooyi and Mark Zuckerberg, to name just three—credit their success, in part, to mentors during their formative business years. A good mentor not only believes in their mentees but also gets to know them as people and learns what makes them tick and what motivates them. Plus, it is important that you are honest with your mentees and push them to their fullest potential.
2. Share knowledge. It may sound obvious but one of the most effective ways to help those around you succeed is by sharing knowledge and information. By imparting your wisdom and giving others the benefit of your experience, you accelerate their professional growth, while sharpening your own understanding. It also can help meet company-wide goals.
3. Invest time in people. The management mettle of any leader can be tested by the amount of time they invest in their subordinates. You can’t expect to lead people effectively if you don’t take the time to offer critical guidance and support. Sit down one on one with your employees and provide feedback, highlight opportunities, discuss their professional development and point out skills on which they can improve. Also, as a manager, respond quickly to their queries. If you say you will find out an answer for them, make sure you do.
4. Ensure people are in the right position. Leadership is about more than overseeing a team of people, it’s about ensuring everybody on that team is working to the very best of their ability. Make sure all your people are in the right position within the company. Help your employees identify their strengths and make them aware of opportunities that suit their key skills. Sometimes putting people in a new role (even if it’s considered a demotion) can help them achieve more in the long run.
Source: Abigail Phillips is an editorial director at San Diego-based WDM Group as well as a business writer and strategist. She is interested in the topics of women and Millennials in business, leadership and sustainable development.
