Leadership Skills - Part 2

Effective leaders care about maintaining a positive work environment and wish to stay connected with their team, regardless of differing lifestyles and interests. This is the first step in the process of creating a positive relationship with a team: having the desire and will to do so. Now, all that it takes is some special consideration to find common ground with the team. Here are a couple of important points to remember as we begin this process: 

• Listen and communicate. This is key to keep things running smoothly. Keeping the lines of communication open keeps information flowing. This develops a sense of trust and teamwork among team members. Also, encourage others to talk about themselves. This gives us insight into our colleagues. Speak of their interests as well. People will often open up quickly on this topic – and who knows, we may have more in common with them than we may have previously thought.
• Be an active and empathetic listener to show others that we are genuinely interested. There are two major components of listening: active and empathetic. We can encourage those around us to express their thoughts, and be an active listener. Ask questions, listen carefully, and really attempt to understand what is being said. In addition, being an empathetic listener means placing ourselves in a team member’s shoes. Imagine what the other person is experiencing, and how we would handle it. Remember that these individuals are sharing parts of their lives with us, be it professional or personal information. Being sincere in our approach gives the other person a sense of ease when communicating with us because they know we are truly attentive, despite supposed differences.
• Show team members that they have valuable opinions. Communication reminds the team that we are including them in projects, and that their input really does matter. Our team members are a great source of ideas and information. When we can give them the sense that their suggestions are having a positive impact on the team, they feel a stronger connection to us as the team leader for taking them into account.

It all comes down to the team knowing that we are sincerely interested in them - not only their work, but also their lives. By keeping this in mind, we will build bridges and form strong bonds that will assist in the overall productivity of our team. During the Dale Carnegie Course we develop several different skills that allow us to connect with others more effectively.What is one of your best ways to connect with your team? Let us know!