Actions speak louder than words. If you want your team members to know that you’re a good leader, an important part of proving yourself is acting like one. It’s not always about appearing managerial – sometimes, appearing human and being considerate are the best things a great leader can do.
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Hang Out Once in a While
Watercooler conversation is important in the workplace. It helps colleagues get to know each other, and team members who know each other work better together. Instead of encouraging them to keep the watercooler conversations short, join in. You’ll get to know them better and they’ll get to know you better.
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Take an Interest in Your Employees’ Passions
Work-life balance is necessary. Without it, employees will feel unhappy and be less productive. If you, as a leader, can understand their passions and help them prioritize them, you’ll be doing something amazing. Letting them take off early to do something important to them demonstrates that you care about them as more than just an employee, but as a person.
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Keep the Office Nice and Tidy
If you want your employees to be productive, give them the perfect stage for productivity. Create open spaces for collaborating, and remove the clutter from the workplace. Get rid of old equipment you aren’t using. You can keep the things you might want later in storage by using a community sharing website to find someplace close by.
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Give Everyone Something Good to Eat
Throw away all the chips and donuts. Replace them with fresh fruit and nuts. By making it easy for your employees to choose healthy snacks, you’re showing that you care about their wellbeing. Many people around the office are likely trying to eat better. Help them achieve their goals.
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Get More Education
Update your leadership training regularly. Make sure you’re the best possible version of yourself. The more you know and the better equipped you are, the more effective you’ll be at leadership. You’ll also be setting an example that training and education are important. You might inspire your team to take the same path.
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Take a Hit
Great leaders love to admit when they’re wrong. They accept their shortcomings with dignity and grace, and work towards doing things better next time. They never throw their team members under the bus. Though it may seem counterintuitive, try taking more responsibility when things go wrong. Your team will admire you for your humility.
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Use Your Holiday Allocation
You need to take care of yourself. If you don’t give yourself enough time to step away and recharge, you’ll just be stressed out at work. Make sure you take your holidays. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to lead.
Start taking small steps to demonstrate to your employees that being a great leader is more than just doing the bare minimum requirements of your job. It’s easier than you think.
About the Author
Emma Lewis is a loving mother, a devoted wife and a part of the team supporting Spacer – a company helping you find storage space in Melbourne whenever you need it. Emma is also a staunch supporter of the sharing economy and often mentions its benefits.
