As the Chief Production Officer at PRMI, I am often asked about what it takes to provide strong leadership and effectively guide teams. Being a true leader often comes down to using the simple tools that we all know but tend to overlook in our daily work life. We’ve all had experiences with leaders who stand out for the wrong reasons, like being abrupt, dismissive, or quick to blurt out answers. True leadership begins with genuinely caring about the people you work with, listening and helping them to find the answers they likely already have themselves.
Leadership is not just about making decisions and setting directions; it's about creating an environment where your team feels valued, heard, and empowered. In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions are plenty, the role of a leader has become even more critical in ensuring that the team remains cohesive and motivated. Here are 6 key principles of leadership that can make a significant difference in how effectively you lead your team.
1. Being Present in Meetings
Meetings are more than just a formality—they are opportunities to connect, collaborate, and create solutions together. As a leader, being fully present during meetings sends a powerful message to your team. It shows that you value their time and contributions, and it helps you stay attuned to the dynamics of the group. How little a team member will feel valued if the leader is barely listening, looking at a phone rather than hearing the needs of the hour! Instead, focus on the discussion, ask questions, provide feedback, and repeat problems or concerns so the team knows you heard them. Your presence will not only foster more meaningful interactions but also set the tone for the level of engagement expected from everyone.
2. Taking a Genuine Interest in Your Team’s Lives
Leadership goes beyond the professional realm. To truly connect with your team, it is essential to take an interest in their lives outside of work. This means understanding what’s important to them, knowing about their family and friends, and showing curiosity about their hobbies and interests. When you make an effort to know your team on a personal level, it builds trust and creates a supportive work environment. Your team will feel appreciated and respected, knowing that you see them as more than just employees but as individuals with full lives.
3. The Importance of Listening
One of the most underrated yet powerful skills in leadership is the ability to listen. Listening actively means giving your full attention, understanding the speaker's perspective, and responding thoughtfully. It’s not just about hearing words but about understanding the underlying emotions and concerns. When team members feel heard, they are more likely to share ideas, voice concerns, and contribute to problem-solving. As a leader, you must cultivate a listening culture within your team, where everyone feels safe expressing themselves and knows that their input is valued. Be emotionally intelligent!
4. Giving Credit and Being a Selfless Leader
A selfless leader understands that the success of the team is a collective effort, and that recognition should be shared. Always give credit where it’s due. Celebrate your team’s achievements and highlight individual contributions. This not only boosts morale but also reinforces a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. Remember, your role as a leader is to lift others up, not to seek the spotlight for yourself.
5. Pausing Before Reacting
Leadership can be challenging, especially when things aren’t going as planned. If you find yourself feeling unhappy or angry with your team, it’s important to pause before reacting. Count to ten, take a deep breath, and put yourself in your team’s mindset. Consider what might be going on in their lives that could be affecting their performance or behavior. By taking this moment to reflect, you can approach the situation with empathy and understanding, leading to a more constructive outcome.
6. Guiding Rather Than Solving
As a leader, it’s tempting to jump in and solve problems for your team, especially when time is of the essence. However, one of the most effective ways to develop your team’s skills is by guiding them to find solutions on their own. Offer support, provide the necessary resources, and ask probing questions that lead them to think critically and explore different options. By doing this, you empower your team to become more self-reliant and confident in their abilities. It also fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth, where challenges are seen as opportunities to improve.
Conclusion
Every day, I find myself thinking of moments I wish I handled differently, words I could have said, actions I could have taken, or how I would have reacted better. We all have moments like this, wishing we could change the past. While we can’t rewrite what has happened, we can control what comes next. Today is a new opportunity to lead with wisdom we’ve gained from yesterday. Listen to a teammate, smile at a stranger, wave at the school crossing guard. Be the person who brightens someone’s day with a simple act of kindness. Every small gesture counts and is seen by your team. Be the leader today that you wish you had been yesterday.
Leadership is about more than just leading; it’s about being present, engaged, and selfless. These key principles are things we all know but sometimes need to be reminded of, especially when we get busy. In the hustle of daily tasks, it’s easy to overlook these foundational aspects of leadership, but they are essential for building a strong, cohesive team that is not only productive but also deeply connected.
So, leaders in business, take audit of your own actions in this list and seek ways to improve the lives of your teams. It will always pay you back!