Within each of us lie two selves, one who builds a resume and the other who seeks qualities like connection, love, community, and respect. All of these make for a great eulogy. The resume virtues are the skills that one brings to the market place. The eulogy virtues are deeper. It defines who a person can also be. An efficient leader brings both to the table. They understand that having top-notch skills is equally important as having compassion, humanity, and respect. Hence, combining both the traits they mold a culture in their company that drives success.
Success is the output of good leadership. The need to succeed puts a leader in a driver’s seat, who then carves a path and navigates the steering of the company to the zenith of success. However, no leader can reach the top until he or she has a reliable engine. The engine we are talking about here is the ’employees’ or all the people associated with the company. The rate of success depends on how good the engine is. To reach the top the people associated with the company and even leader should work together towards the common goal; this is where employee-engagement comes in to play. Engaging employees bring the best results and the company’s work can also be done more effectively and efficiently. So how can a leader build a culture that drives the growth for not only the company but also of its employees?
Leading by Example
As a leader, it is important to know that the people of your company are closely watching you. Hence it is important to note your actions; it either sways the employees positively or negatively. The best way to bring a positive impact is to lead by example. Leaders have to carefully think through the actions they plan on implementing in the company. For example, if the business implies giving away something to the community. Plan a charity event with the employees; let them see that you stand true to your words. This will develop a sense of trust within employees and they will look forward to compassion and guidance from leaders.
Their Strength is their Team
A leader has to realize that he has hand-picked all his or her employees and hence, they should know who is capable of what. This realization can bring a paradigm shift within the company. Once, the employees realize that their boss knows who they are; they will continuously put in efforts to maintain that respect. However, to reach that level of relationship, a leader should always try to know his team members and support them continuously.
Appreciate the Efforts
This is another most important thing that should be kept in mind. An employee learns from his or her leader, however, leaders should learn from them too. It happens when leaders appreciate new ideas put forward by employees, talk about the plausible ways to implement it, the outcomes and even drawbacks. An impeccable leader will realize that everyone has something or the other to put in front of the table. And while the employees brainstorm to bring new innovative ideas, appreciate their effort and learn from it.
No matter how many articles, books or blogs or even guidelines are written upon leadership, leaders can never lead following the rulebook. It happens with instinct with passion and perseverance. Also, there is no shortcut to success until the employees of a company are engaged in the growth process. However, to achieve this it is important that a leader shapes the culture of that company in such a way that drives success. This culture can only be shaped through modeling, feedback, purpose, and equal participation of employees.
