Employees today expect more from their business leaders than ever before. They require leaders to have the courage to step up and make good, hard decisions. Courageous leaders create an environment and company culture where every employee can excel. Knowing and actually encouraging, respecting and listening to differing points of view will build better ideas.
Being a leader is not for the timid. You can and must step up to develop the courage to lead.
Are you ready to:
Encourage Differing POVs. Differing points of view (POV) can build ideas into better solutions. However, benefiting from them requires strong listening and communication skills, asking the right questions and developing the ability to effectively manage these conversations for win-win-win outcomes.
Believe Employees Are Great. This mindset is one of the secrets to becoming an effective and courageous leader. Believing in the team process and each person’s contributions requires courage, because you can’t control internal communication or work processes. Your trust will transform your team to take the initiative and become resourceful to achieve intended results.
Do It Differently. Breaking out from the constraints of “how it’s always been done” or your creative limitations is required. Years ago an industry group traditionally hosted an education day to learn more about new changes in legislative policies. The problem was, attendance was dismal. When a new group member included a customer service keynote as part of the day, the planning committee expressed huge disapproval, but they still went along with idea. To their surprise, they saw a 40 percent increase in the number of attendees. At that point, they recognized the new group member for having the courage to think bigger and make it happen.
Manage Your Ethics and Integrity. The impact of what you do or don’t do will create a reputation for you and for the company that can last a long time. Make good, hard decisions by working with your executive coach to talk through the options and actions required. An organization was about to give an award to the wrong person. PR had already been released, and it was the night before the big event. Earlier that day the award recipient let them know, “I don’t meet the criteria.” They made the tough decision and gave the award to the right person while acknowledging the courage it took for the original recipient to step forward.
Oversee Your Projects’ Human Experience. Many times we are focused solely on the technical and financial outcomes of any project or work assignment. We forget that our people make or break any project or task. Create a rewarding process that honors and respects the employee spirit through listening, brainstorming and respecting all ideas while managing the process to achieve intended results.
Express Gratitude to Everyone. Saying please and thank you daily and acknowledging every person for his or her contributions (regardless of how the day goes) builds a positive work environment.
Be a Respected Leader. People’s feelings can be fickle. One moment they like you, and the next they don’t—many times due to circumstances beyond your control. Respected leaders have the courage to make the right decisions, regardless of their career aspirations or need to be well-liked, is why they last longer.
Hire for Job Fit. Answering the “why” behind employee behaviors that baffle many managers is key. It takes courage to use qualified job fit assessments to hire, coach, manage and train employees. But once you experience the amazing results, your courage will be rewarded!
Step up! Be a courageous leader. Hire a seasoned executive coach and business advisor to guide you through making the right decisions, listening and learning from your employees and creating a respectful workplace.
©Jeannette Seibly, 2018
Need a speaker or facilitator to successfully address company issues? As a leader, are you ready to be courageous by fine-tuning your ability to make better decisions, improve your communication skills and create an amazing place to work? Contact Jeannette Seibly. She will provide confidential, laser-focused coaching that works!
Jeannette Seibly has been called a catalyst. She is celebrating 25 years as a business coach, advisor and consultant who guides her clients to achieve unprecedented results. Remember, everyone can become a courageous leader. First, you must step up! Check out her website, or contact Jeannette for a preliminary confidential conversation.