Leadership is a complicated word. No matter what it says in the dictionary, leadership is about influence, getting people to make the right decision.
Many people in leadership roles fall short. For proof, look at all the āHelp Wantedā signs outside many businesses. At foodservice establishments, they mean an employee has left and thereās a vacancy to be filled.
Ask yourself, āwhy people are leaving?ā Itās not for more money. Research shows that 75% of employees who quit a job in the past three years left because of their supervisors. āThe Great Game of Business,ā an organization that teaches young people about employment and growth, says the No. 1 reason people stay in an organization is because of supervisor relationships.
So what makes a good leader? No one follows someone simply because they have a title. Employees follow people they respect.
And how do you get there? An ArcTree survey shows employees value leaders who:
- Provide full appreciation for work done
- Make them feel āinā on things
- Offer sympathy/empathy with personal matters
A leader can say something nice about an employee in front of other people. The employee feels good. You look good. Respect is earned.
A leader can let employees āinā on things. You want to sell more burgers? Ask employees for ideas and ways to implement them. If the idea is a success, everyone wins.
A good leader must like people and really get to know them. Whatās their spouseās name? Kidsā names? Dogās name? Favorite sports team? Where did they go to school? Know them and youāll see when somethingās troubling them. It doesnāt mean you will accept poor performance, but youāll be able to counsel and get them back on track.
True leadership is about influence, having people follow you even when they have a choice not to.