How To Be a Leader & Not A Jerk PT III

Are you sure that everyone is happy?

If you don’t want to be a jerk, focus on your people.  You’ve worked on getting the team culture to come together, and you’ve likely already managed a few hurdles together.  If someone challenged your team to a softball game, at this point, you already know who would be great on first and who to put in the outfield.  Now, focus on each flower in your bouquet.

In efforts of getting to know my team, I like to treat them to a celebratory outing after a major accomplishment or “team wound licking” over ice cream after an unexpected defeat.  We use those times to talk about the work event, and to catch up on life outside of work now that the event is over. This is time for the team to talk…trust me, they are tired of hearing you talk so keep your mouth shut and listen.  What are they looking forward to? What are their aspirations? What keeps them up at night? Get to know them for the people they are.

We spend more time at work than at home, so steal a little quality time with your work family.  Find out what they consider as the best version of themselves and make it your duty to help them get there as much as you can.  It is important that each individual who is on your team to grow and accomplish their dreams.

Working together on a project, launching a start-up, restructuring a business, expanding a company all takes teamwork.  The era of staying with a company for decades at a time is over. If you’re lucky, you get several years with the same people on your team.  For this reason, I look at my team as a sort of “catch and release” program. In the time we are together, it is my mission to learn what they want to do next and help tailor their experience, so they are prepared for their next dream job.  This approach creates a happier and healthier team. We come together as a tougher team, put in more hours when it’s important, and encourage each other when exhaustion creeps up.

I’m proud to say that I am still in contact with members of each of my teams over the years.  We may live and work in different parts of the world, but I know that if I ever need anything, I can count on them.  They all have my contact information and aren’t shy to reach out to ask for guidance or any other help.

After all, a team who grows together, stays together.