Lead and others will follow

What do you prefer more? A boss that motivates and develops you throughout your career. Or a boss that provides you with meaningful work. Why can’t you have both?

It took a while for it to all sink in. The Pittsburgh Steelers had won the Super bowl. Towards the end, they were able to make the plays that were necessary for the team to be victorious. Along with the very gifted defense and an offense that made it work, there was one person who really made a difference and was able to tie the team together. Mike Tomlin, the Steelers head coach. There are interesting qualities about this young head coach that I’ve always admired. Mike doesn’t like to take credit for what his team is out there doing. He enjoys talking about the actions they took to make the plays and provides constructive feedback when their plays are successful.

I like that about him and have often found that his success as a coach and leader relate quite well to the type of role a supervisor plays when developing employees in the workplace. Take a close look at your office relationships. What is the approach that you take when dealing with your employees? What approach would you like your boss to take with you when it comes to development?

There is an art form to use when enhancing an employee's life in the office. As a supervisor, your goal is to coach your team and provide them with opportunities to develop and maximize their skills. When a supervisor takes this approach with tempered knowledge, they are doing the company a huge favor because they are enhancing their employees and contributing to the growth of the department.

It’s as simple as each one teach one. Yeah, yeah, you’ve probably heard that one before. But it is true!! Develop your employees! Enhance their skills so they are confident and do a better job in the workplace. Talk to your employees about their performance on the job. Praise their efforts and offer your appreciation by recognizing the little steps that they are making when they do well. It’s not a specialized skill that only 5% of the population can perform. Everyone has the ability to develop their employees. It just takes a solid commitment to do so. Your daily mantra as a manager should be “As a leader, you are only as good as the employees that follow you.” Do you believe that? Then live it!

A friend of mine has a boss that pretty much lives this mantra in the workplace. When my friend first started working for her company, she came in as an assistant. Along the way, her boss has included her in the decision making, has provided her with opportunities to develop her skills, and encouraged and supported her decision to return to school for her Masters. Now, after being at her company for 7 years, and being groomed by her boss, she is now Director of her department and very devoted to working towards the company's mission.

Now, I can guess the main part of the story that you’ve noticed is that she moved from an assistant to a Director. But, I think the more important piece is that HER BOSS DEVELOPED HER ALONG THE WAY. ( I hate all caps.) Yes, her boss got it. (Mike Tomlin got it also!) A significant portion of an employee's career is based on the development and training that they attain while on the job. And yet there are naysayers. Some people claim that by doing this, you are developing and training employees to leave the company. But, that is a false argument. That should not be the mindset at all. Embrace the employees you have working for you and you never know, they may just stay with your company for 7 years or more!

As always,

Prioritize, set boundaries, and live!