Do you think you’re an appreciative leader? Do you regularly take time to recognize your team members in the office or on your crews, or your customers? It’s always a good idea to take time regularly to reflect on what kind of leader you are. What do the people around you think about how you lead? What’s your leadership style? Is it getting the results you want? And just as importantly, are you proud of how you lead?
There are a lot of truly difficult things you have to do as a leader. In my experience, the hardest part is taking the time to learn how each team member works and adapting your leadership style accordingly. This takes time. It’s different for everyone, simply because they’re unique individuals. I don’t practice or advocate a one-size-fits-all approach to leading teams.
On the other hand, one of the easiest things you can do is show appreciation by being kind. It’s almost a no-brainer, other than forcing yourself to get into the habit if it’s not something you just naturally do.
“Kindness… is free. Among the small and very easy-to-implement things you can do to make a big difference in an organization very quickly, appreciation is high on my list. The cost is next to nil, and the benefits are big.” (Weinzweig, 2014)
Recognizing someone’s work is easy. When discussing the details of their work, it’s a good idea to show appreciation. What’s the main positive thing you’re noticing about how they do what they do? And just tell them. Don’t force it. The benefits to you and your business are simple: when people feel appreciated, they do a better job.
Another benefit of being an appreciative leader is that it encourages everyone to show appreciation to one another and to customers.
When employees “feel their work is contributing positively” toward work that makes a difference, they’re far more likely to reach way beyond the norm of what most people would otherwise do in their work. By maintaining an appreciative culture, we set a positive example for everyone who comes to work with us.” (Weinzweig, 2014)
When everyone shows kindness and appreciation, we all feel it. As a leader, it starts with you. There are many specific actions you can take to become a more appreciative leader. And many can be found in Zingerman’s Guide To Good Leading: Part 1. All their books are great. And they have training too.
Here’s one specific action you can take now:
Thank yous: … A simple note or appreciation at a meeting can make a huge difference to those who are appreciated. Almost all of the verbal appreciations at our meetings get written up in the notes and then distributed. Believe it or not, others who weren’t at the meetings regularly read them and notice whose names appear. (Weinzweig, 2014)
This is just as easy to do on the job site as it is in the office. Prioritize showing appreciation now. Even if you have one employee. Or none; appreciation is just as important or easy to show prospects and customers, and just as valuable to your business. Make it a habit so it becomes your default.
