Do you know what your employees think about you? How you’re perceived by longtime team members as well as new hires? At Technalink, we’re often surprised by how few business leaders really pay attention to this subject – especially since it’s incredibly important for the overall success of your business.
The reason? Employees are the key to a great business, and when their perception of you is negative it can lead to reduced productivity, lower morale, higher turnover rates, and much more. In short, you want to be a leader that employees respect. Doing so can help improve your bottom line in a big way. And the good news? It’s a straightforward process to improve that level of respect.
So how can you do it? There are a few basic ideas that can help you plan out a clear path to success. Here are a few steps worth taking.
Get Your Hands Dirty
Not literally, unless that’s what your field is. By this, we mean to get out there and work alongside your team. Help them complete projects, work with them, and don’t lock yourself behind your door and become that leader who’s only seen when slinging orders.
Show Compassion
Compassionate leadership goes a long way towards helping build respect. When you use compassionate leadership, you help show your team that you care about them and that you have their best interests at heart. In doing so, you help them feel valued and like they’re part of something special.
Learn From Them
Listen to your team, ask for advice, and use it effectively. This is a huge step that can go along with compassionate leadership to help you improve your business. And along with improved business results, you’ll be showing your team that their input is valued. Listening and including them helps them respect you by showing them that you also respect what they have to say.
Remember The Golden Rule
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, right? That’s the Golden Rule, and it applies to business in a big way. Think about the kind of employer you’d want to work for and strive to be that leader. Again, compassionate leadership plays a role here, but it goes deeper.
If you’ll take the steps above into account and then use them to start plotting a path to earning your employees’ respect, you’ll find that great things can come your way – and to your business. Lead by example and show your team how important they are to you, and respect will come naturally.
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