LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #6: KNOW YOUR PEOPLE AND LOOK OUT FOR THEIR WELFARE
No one is asking you to ask your people to move in with you or take long hayrides together. However, what is expected of you as a leader is to at least know some of the basics that make them tick. Know if they are married or seeing someone. Know their date of birth or if they have children and their date of birth. Get to know them. They create more value to you as a leader and to the organization the longer they stay with the organization. Failing to go beyond calling them by their last name will create a sense of alienation and detachment.
Alienation is the first step to creating distrust and discord between the leader and his followers. Detachment is the natural by-product of failing to get a little closer to your followers.
Once you get to know them, you create an environment based on trust and cohesion. They will turn to you in times of trouble and need. They will do so because of the bond created when you, as the leader, took the time to get to know them and trust them.
There is a train of thought trying to make a comeback: NEVER TRUST YOUR EMPLOYEES THEY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU.
Maybe in the 1970s this was the prevalent train of thought. It has been 40 years since the mid-1970s and that mindset is not only very antiquated but also so very wrong. Today, this kind of thinking comes from individuals who use fear, intimidation, and other such scare tactics to get their way. These individuals would prefer going through life as managers rather than actual leaders.
Now to be clear, I should say that as a leader, you must make your intentions, vision, and expectations made as clear as possible to ALL your followers. Failing that, then yes I can see where your employees will take advantage of you.
If you want to be the leader, then step up and be the leader. Do not worry about what others will think. Worry about being yourself and doing it your way. Trust me; NO ONE becomes the leader by doing either or both of these things:
1. Intimidating Others
2. Imitating Others
Be yourself and the rest will fall in place. Especially, when you are getting to know those you lead. Be the one to open up first then they will open up. Now, I will offer a word of caution. You did not get to where you are by falling for every trick in the book so don’t. There is nothing wrong with calling shenanigans when those that want to scam you, pull the wool over your eyes, or whatever they do to try and fool you. It happens more times than you think. Leadership is a filled with good and bad. Leadership will be a lonely journey but it makes it a little easier knowing that you not only know your followers but you care enough to look out for them even if it means calling them out on their B.S.
Thanks,
David G. Guerra, M.B.A.
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Twitter @daveguerra or by email [email protected] or both.