Not everyone can inspire devotion like Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, whose crew followed him to the ends of the earth, but anyone can be a more positive leader. It’s all about creating an atmosphere where people feel valued. How do you do that?
1. Say thank you.
Whether you’re heading up a work project or volunteer committee, it’s important to let people know that you appreciate their efforts.
2. Be specific in your praise.
Beverly Kaye, author of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay, takes thank-you’s one step further: “Tell people exactly what they did that had a good outcome. The more specific you are, the more energizing it is!”
3. Do “stay interviews.”
Most organizations wait until a staffer has his foot out the door before finding out in an exit interview what could have been improved about his job. But if you regularly ask “What makes for a great workday?” “What can we do to make your job more satisfying?” and “What can we do to keep you here?” then you can spot problems before they reach a boiling point and come up with solutions that will make everyone happier.
4. Accentuate the positive.
Train yourself to focus on the pluses of your day. “Take a moment, maybe on the way home, to ask yourself ‘What pleasant surprises did I have during my workday? Who came through for me?’ And if you had a tough experience, ask yourself what you learned from it,” says Kaye. Answering these questions will keep you upbeat and remind you of the rewards of leading, not just the responsibilities.
5. Don’t forget to have fun!
It goes a long way toward building morale. You don’t have to take your staff to Disneyland, but do encourage them to talk to each other about things besides business, and check in with them about their interests: their last vacation, their favorite TV show, their kids. And remember that time-tested method for keeping people happy: the milk-and-cookies break!
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