Ten Habits to Becoming a Better Leader
When my son turned 16 we gave him his own set of house keys as well as a gate and alarm remote. This empowered him to access the house on his own further enabling him to make use of a lift or his bicycle. We then did not have to collect him freeing up our time. At the same time he did not have to wait at school and could finish his homework in the comfort of his room.
Many parents are challenged when it comes to collecting their children before 16:30 due to work commitments. Two problems were solved and we empowered him while building up his sense of responsibility.
Knowing that he could make his own way home helped teach him important lessons and took pressure off us. This simple exercise was able to empower him. A decade later he has learnt to look after keys and many other important lessons. As small as this act was, it started the ball rolling on much bigger decisions that he would have to make as an adult.
If you have employees you may be challenged to trust them. I am not saying your employees are children, however the concept of trust in a work situation is similar to what I have described. Imagine you are accountable for the creation of a presentation to update a client on the progress of his multi-million Rand training project. The presentation needs to be completed in 24 hours ready for a senior management meeting! Your time to complete a financial review so that you can finalise the presentation is running out.
You have two options; ONE – complete the financial review yourself and then move on to the presentation later that night. TWO – allow the newly appointed Financial Manager to complete the financial report and give you feedback so that you can complete the presentation before close of business and go home to spend time with your family.
When you select option ONE you will inevitably frustrate your Financial Manager and disappoint your family by working late. This is by far the easier option to select as you know it will be done your way. Would you make that decision, I don’t think so. Selecting option TWO means that you need to trust others which can be a difficult choice. Your family I am sure would be very happy with you by selecting the second option.
How can you go about trusting others so that you can empower them to make your job easier.
1. Develop Skills and Confidence
This is the most important step. It is very difficult to entrust someone if they are not trained. Their confidence will grow as their experience does. Empowerment is not about making people “feel good”; we need to increase their capacity and confidence.
2. Clarify Purpose and Direction
People cannot take ownership of what they do not understand. Explain why the task needs to be completed and how everyone can benefit. When employees know where the organisation is going they can make a better contribution.
3. Give Authority rather than Responsibility
Responsibility without authority creates frustration for the employee and the leader or manager. Enable all employees to solve client problems, by giving them the authority to follow through on their decisions.
4. Create a Safe Environment for your employees.
All employees must feel safe to ask questions, admit when they make mistakes and challenge ideas. Fear crushes initiative while trust multiplies initiative.
Leaders empower when errors are used as learning moments rather than creating blame.
Leaders who empower, create capability, clarity, authority and safety. This process can be tough; so, like our children, we need to start when they are new in our departments. Allow then to make mistakes and create trust.
I will never forget the smile on Jonathan’s face when we gave him his own set of keys. What is the one action you will take with your employees this week that will also create a smile?
Ready to build a team you can trust? book a free consultation with Paul
Paul Tanton
Leadership Entrepreneur and Coach
