EDITOR'S NOTE:The following blog was published in Christine Corelli’s regular newsletter. Corelli is an internationally renowned keynote speaker and workshop facilitator with a no-nonsense, cut-to-the-chase approach to public speaking, training, and management consulting.
Follow these eight steps to lead by pulling, not pushing:
- Tell them what you want done, not how to do it—Motivate your team by letting them determine how to get the work done
- Praise your team—Surveys show that most employees are lucky if they receive any praise during the course of their job. Recognize hard work and success and make sure that you call it out. Publicly praise your team members. It doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to be sincere
- Make them a team—Make sure your team is a team. Pull them together. Do activities and events to allow them to bond as more than just co-workers
- Give the team the authority to make decisions—Some managers don't let their team make any decisions without their approval. This does not lead to a productive environment. You should trust your team to make day-to-day decisions on their own. Good managers don't lead by giving permission on each simple task. They lead by knowing when to gently course correct their team along the way
- Keep them in the know—Let your team know the big picture. Don't withhold information unnecessarily. Your team can't perform at their best if they are wearing blinders
- Let them have skin in the game—In many companies, teams feel like they are simply working to make the boss more successful. Great companies know that teams produce better results if they are vested in the outcome. Make sure the team has incentive in the overall outcome...win or lose. Even if all you do is give them a gift card or cash when you have a great month
- Hold Them Accountable—Pulling your team does not mean not holding them accountable. In fact, they want to be held to high standards. Teams suffer if a manager does not hold all team members accountable for their role
- Positive Attitude—As a manager you set the tone for your entire team's operation. The team takes their cue from you. If the boss is having a bad day, so is the entire team. Bringing a positive attitude can be crucial to your team's success
Pushing your team only goes so far. In the end, it causes discontent and strife. You might get the work done, but it will take double the effort and produces half the results.
If you want your team to get more work done and be more productive.... pull them. Pull them to greater limits. Pull them to greater achievements.
And of course, pull them to success.
Question: Do you push or pull your team to get work done?