3 Tips for Supporting Your Employees
What causes some of your employees to succeed and others to struggle?
As leaders we are in the people business. The more intentional we are about understanding people, the more effective and successful we will be at leading others. What do I mean when I say that we are in the people business?
As you go through your leadership career, you will discover that people are both unique and they are also the same. There are some things that people you encounter will have in common. But there are also other factors that will cause them to be unique. You can think of it this way, people can be alike, but at the same time they are not identical.
The better you become at understanding the common factors, the better equipped you will be to lead people who exhibit typical types of behaviors (being responsible, being goal oriented, the desire to feel safe). You should also learn how to handle the anomalies.
What action do you need to take with an employee who is generally responsible, but they just had a loved one pass away and their productivity is starting to suffer? How should you provide feedback to an aggressive employee, who is also the most knowledgeable member of the team (and they know it)?
3 Tips for Understanding Your Employees
1. Intentionally learn more about how people are wired. I would encourage you to become familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. You should also learn what you can about core personality types, love languages, the different ways that people communicate, and what truly motivates and inspires people. Learning about all of these areas will better position you to be able to make adjustments when you’re interacting with your team members.
2. Begin with yourself first. You want to master yourself first before trying to develop others. As leaders we don’t want to be hypocritical by telling others what they need to do, while simultaneously being unwilling to work on ourselves. Begin to intentionally study your own traits and habits. Become familiar with your personal virtues and vices (everyone has them). Also began to understand the thought process and/or logic behind both your good and bad habits.
Peel the layers back to get to the core you. Did you know that some of the behaviors that you currently exhibit may be attributed to life circumstances? You can begin to discover the REAL YOU, by examining certain traits that you displayed as a child. If possible, try to ask people who knew you as a child what your interests and hobbies were. Also ask them to share any memories they have about you and your childhood. These can provide insight into who you really are at your core and into how you are naturally wired.
3. Remember that people exhibit behaviors for a reason. Remember that the people you lead have had their own life experiences, which have shaped them into the people they are today. In my experience, I have found that people who are difficult at work, often have gone through very challenging life events. Many times, having a leader who is willing to endure a growth season with them can help them out significantly. If they truly want to grow as a person, you may want to stick with them, as they can turn into some of your best and most loyal employees. But this will take dedication and commitment on both parts.
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