Leaders! Stand by your teams!

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GO get this done NOW!!!  

How often have you heard this ? . As leaders we need to lead and not manage. Managers are the leaders of the olden times.  We need to stop forcing tasks and responsbilities through authority and fear.  However this trend seems to be continuing even till today … causing utmost confusion, resentment and doubt.

How do we seriously lead? One of the most easiest way is with your own team.

1. Work along side them : Most would say, its not my job to do menial tasks, im not paid to do their work. But to be honest, the reality is in people get inspired to see their leaders come down to their level to handhold, guide and support. So if you have a tough, stressful project. Come down, fold your sleeves and work along side with your team and you will make wonders.
   • Show them the ropes. If you arent aware, then invite experts and let them demonstrate to you too as well as your team.
   • Have an approachable attitude during project crises. While the team is out getting the project or roles implemented, be around, guiding helping or be avaliable to answer calls from them, or allow them to visit you without appointments or tedious processes.
   • Help them during conflict. If they are stuck with a serious conflict or hostility, then visit the situation along side them.  Defuse the situation and then guide the team towards a solution.
2. Make resources available : The Worst situation for any team is the one without resources. As a leader, its your role to gather the resources available for the team to be successful. Arrogant leaders demand their teams to “go figure it out” . Resources could be anything from contact numbers, lists, equipments, safety tools, refreshments or more. If you want efficient results, let the team focus on what needs to be done, than be busy doing other things which will delay their main responsibilities and ultimately affect the project outcome.
3. Handle Client/higher Management Conflict : Yes Conflict management is everyones role. but as a leader, you need to be proactive to determine conflict which is beyond the control of your team. For example, if there is a hostile confrontation with a lower grade staff with the project higher up stakeholder. your Staff may not be able to respond to the satisfaction of the higher up. In this case, its the leader’s role to intervene, take everyone into consideration, with collaborative ideas and suggestions and bring a win win situation to everyone.  Never should a leader reprimand this team infront of any  audience. Never should a leader force his team to do something, just to please the audience he or she is.  If there is no solution to the onhand problem, then take the discussion elsewhere, after request ample time to sort out the issue at the situation.
4. Carry the vision , not force down tasks : As leaders, our own upper Management will demand many things, but you need to be the filter and carry the vision that the upper Mangement needs and filter the vision into well defined and executed projects. We cannot stick to ” Sorry… This is what Top Management wants!!! ” As leaders we are not supervisors, but inspirational leaders than are building the next generation leaders.
   • Breakdown Visions into Achievement Projects and Goals
   • Review and Revisit to ensure everyone is guided into their strengths and skills that they are capable of.
   • Listen and understand challenges that your team may have implementing the vision and find solutions.
   • As leaders we stand by our teams first, then once we have the team on our side, we implement the vision
5. Build a Fun, Calm and Positive Situation : Lastly no one likes a high drama – stressful environment. Teams are discouraged and make more mistakes and unintentional errors. Rather you should make it cheerful, encourage and appreciate the teams.  Meet them in the field, encourage and cheer for them. Appreciate them infront of the top management and Stakeholders too.

End of the day, the consequence of poor leadership is a drain of good talent, great teams that leave organizations. its Said, People Dont leave organizations, People Leave leaders.  Lets focus on being great leaders that empower and inspire, than being those that demand and manage.

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