I've got a new employee starting this week. I'm excited! She brings great skills, energy and another pair of hands to take on the big challenges that we face this year. I'm also mindful of the trust that she is putting in me to come join my team. Hiring great people, helping them develop and seeing them succeed are truly among the greatest joys of being a leader. As I think back over the hundred or so people I've hired, I see many successes and a few failures too. Four years ago, I brought on a new Director. Then I got pulled into a critical project, and I pretty much left her to sink or swim. Six months in, we met and she called herself Island Girl, because I'd left her on an island. She survived, but it took awhile and some hard work before we developed the kind of productive team I wanted. My performance as her leader still rankles.

Good leaders create a space for our team members to thrive. Successful, highly productive employees feel supported. Of course, we make sure they understand their objectives, have the resources they need, meet all the right people and get regular performance feedback. But creating great space means making sure our colleagues know we have their back. We:

*talk them up with leadership and peers,

*project calm in the face of pressure, knowing the difference between projecting a sense of urgency and taking the right actions,

*listen,

*show confidence in our vision, direction and in them,

*share and live our values,

*are comfortable being transparent and vulnerable, and

*celebrate their successes and the positives in their fast failures.

Employees operating in a supportive environment will accomplish amazing things. Imagine the feeling of seeing your calm, confidence and connectedness reflected back by your team.

Join us Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. and share your experiences, learning and wisdom about bringing on new team members. 

Best regards!
Gerry

ANE will host “Inspired Leadership in 30” phone call:
Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 a.m.
Call in number: (712) 775-7031
Enter ID #: 251-410-597