Live Forward and Give Back

Give Credit to Your Team Members.

One of the top needs that employees have is to be recognized and acknowledged. It is important for leaders to give credit to those who get the results. Leaders are typically more visible and therefore are looked to as the ones who got the work done for the team. They are often the ones who get the credit. The most confident leaders immediately turn and give the credit to others, not themselves. For this week, give visible credit to the people on your team who made the success happen. You will be viewed as a stronger, more confident leader who will gain greater followers.

“The more credit you give away, the more will come back to you. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you.” ~ Brian Tracy

Appreciate Differences in Thinking.

When we work together, some of us think with a “blank slate” and create the future. We say “what if we did this…” and we look into the future of possibilities. We create. Alternatively, some rely on facts, data, research, and our own experiences. We think practically and historically, learning from how things have been done before. As leaders, it is important for us to learn and recognize that our team members have different ways of thinking, processing and making decisions. Some will love status reports, project plans and structure, and others will appreciate spontaneity and change. For this week, as you observe others, become more aware of the differences in the way that people are thinking through issues, and respect and appreciate the differences. Diversity of thought, while one of the most complex forms of diversity, is very powerful for team results.

“There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.” ~ Michel de Montaigne

Believe in Great Performance and It Will Happen.

We can probably all think back to a time when our boss, a parent or a friend said to us “I know you can do it” or “I believe in you,” and their confidence in us helped boost our performance even more. As leaders, we may forget at times how powerful those words are when we say them to our team members. For this week, give everyone the opportunity to do their best by expressing to them your confidence in their ability to perform at great levels.

“The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them.” ~ Harold Geneen