Quick Tips: Simplifying Your Leadership

One of the biggest mistakes leaders tend to make is complicating their management approach. And with a plethora of leadership books, podcasts, and online publications available, it can be more difficult than ever to maintain a simplistic view of leadership.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started affecting businesses in March 2020, organizations were forced to adapt and turn on a dime to ensure they were still able to maintain a certain level of production. Leaders were asked to do the same, and the ones who had a simplistic approach from the beginning were able to roll with the punches and successfully lead their teams during this time of uncertainty. Simplifying your leadership can have many benefits, and if you focus on these three quick management tips, you will take your organization to the next level.

Empower Your Team

The main focus of leadership is to develop, grow, and empower your employees to maximize their strengths to be their best. By focusing on what your team needs from you and allowing your employees the autonomy to work freely within a special project or agenda, your organization will benefit from the skills of the whole instead of being held back by the micromanagement of one. The strength in an organization is the sum of its parts.

Take notice of the interests and skills of your employees. Start a dialogue with your team to see if any team members have ideas or suggestions on how to make the organization better. Whether it’s through new innovations or cross-training, your boots on the ground tend to give you a clearer view of the day-to-day operations. Empower your employees to take ownership in their work and see how this change can create a lasting difference with your people and company.

Focus on Communication

The most common conflicts in the workplace are caused by a lack of communication between peers, as well as management and employees. Conflict in the workplace, if left unchecked, can cause irreparable damage in a company’s culture. But, it can be avoided through effective communication. According to a study,  86% of employees and executives cite lack of communication or ineffective collaboration for workplace failures.

Employees want full transparency when it comes to their leaders. And leaders want the same with their employees. To achieve this, create a culture of open communication and encourage employees to speak up. Schedule one-on-one meetings to ask employees what they expect of you and what they need from you. Ask what you can do to open the lines of communication. Creating an open-door policy with your employees will go a long way in rebuilding communication and knocking out conflict for good.

Acknowledge, Embrace, and Move Past Failure

Everyone experiences obstacles during their professional career, and those who are able to embrace failure and move past it will be more effective as a leader, as well as more successful in their endeavors. IBM’s Thomas Watson, Sr., once said “The fastest way to succeed is to double your failure rate.” Not only is it important for leaders to embrace failure, but it is also imperative to encourage employees to make calculated risks and allow for mistakes. By creating a culture of not fearing failure but embracing innovation and change, your organization will be closer to success than those who play it safe.

For the leader, transparency is important in communication, but is also critical when dealing with mistakes in the workplace. By acknowledging a misstep or wrong decision to your employees, you will build trust and improve morale. If you create expectations, it will go both ways for your team. Acknowledge it and move past it.

What other tips do you have to simplify your leadership? If you could boil it down into a few words, what would they be? Let us know in the comments section below!

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply