Success Isn’t Taught, It’s Caught

Your ability to get going rubs off on other people and boosts their performance. No question.

The more energised, joyful and alive you feel, the more energised, joyful and alive those around you will feel – just as a result of working with you.

As a leader your state of mind is highly contagious and has a major affect on the engagement and retention of each individual. Here are three ideas to help:

1. Keep your people challenged.

You are probably aware of the research which discovered that the number one factor that determines employee engagement and retention is their relationship with their immediate line manager.

So what’s the second biggest factor? – Whether they feel challenged enough.

There is a lesson for us all here. Take time aside each month to think about how you challenge and develop your people to prevent them from becoming stagnant.

Think about ways you can support them to step out of their comfort zone and do something stretching. Talented people need variety and challenge.

Remember – when you stretch people they grow

2. It’s about THEM first.

People do things for their reasons, not for your reasons of for mine. So the goal, the plan of action, and the passion have to be communicated in a way that answers the questions: “What’s in it for me?”

Give constant public recognition for outstanding performance. The fact is we all like to look good in the presence of our peers.

So, if someone has done a great job, give him or her a public pat on the back. If it’s really good, throw in a tangible benefit. It will make everybody feel like giving more of themselves to the team effort.

3. Increase your resilience.

Most people can lead effectively when the sun is out and the sky is blue. However your leadership ability is more likely to be judged by how you handle storm and adversity.

How do you react under pressure?

No matter how challenging a situation or person gets, you must control the controllables. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you respond to it.

If something goes wrong how do you describe it to yourself? In sport they call it ‘TCUP’ – think correctly under pressure.

Look for the good. You have a responsibility to be upbeat regardless of the situation. Make it a habit to look for one good thing in every adversity.

Read more about LDL leadership training.