Recently I was answering someone’s inquiry about how is the best way to recover from a mistake as a leader. I shared clear steps to recover from their mistakes but noticed that I had a lot more to say, and a fairly strong opinion on things far greater than just how to recover. During that discussion, I mentioned there are definite steps that need to take place long before a mistake happens and it all begins with this one key action that successful leaders always manage to do.
Establishing Trust
Long before you need your staff to be there for you, you need to have been there for them.
Jim Rohn, the legendary leadership guru, taught that in order for your team to run up a hill simply because you asked. You would have had to have established long before that you would run up that hill for them.
Sincerity and caring, ensuring that your team’s needs are met, plus establishing healthy, productive environments that allow your team to shine as they showcase their individual talents is essential. Establishing room for them to learn, make mistakes, and grow in their skills and profession are all part of establishing a highly engaged employee culture.
This is where the magic happens. You lead an amazing team that knows you listen and care about what they have to say. You incorporate their ideas into your day-to-day operations. You encourage challenging the status quo and you coach and develop them through both their errors and their successes. Establishing a safe, yet non-Polyannaish “We are all in this together” atmosphere allows everyone to stretch and grow and yes, even make errors along the way. That allowance of errors, growth, and learning includes you.
Mind you, as the leader, you set the tone. You are the measure, so you need to take the high road at all times. Pausing to ensure that you are doing the right thing, not simply the easy thing, every time. With so people taking your lead you wouldn’t want anything less from yourself than being, and showing yourself as, a leader with utmost professionalism and kindness.
Set some non-negotiables when it comes to your leadership
· I will always be kind first
· I will always set the appropriate tone and create a culture of acceptance
· I will ensure that my team always knows I’ll run the hill first for them
· I will do the right thing always – even when
it’s not easy
· I will always lead with integrity
When you start all things by caring about your team and your clients first. Ensuring that you do right by everyone involved improves all areas of your business.
Happy hill-climbing,
~ Cathy
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