Author: Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

How Can Managers Build Loyalty In The Workplace?

How Can Managers Build Loyalty In The Workplace?

Undoubtedly, employee loyalty is essential for managers and leaders in the workplace. A workforce loyal to their managers and leaders is more likely to be productive, efficient, and committed to their work. In fact, studies have shown that employee loyalty can have a positive impact on business performance in a number of ways. Here, we’ll highlight why employee loyalty is so important and share tips on how managers and leaders can build it in their teams. Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents

What is employee loyalty?

In the simplest terms, employee loyalty is the existence of a positive relationship between the team and the employee that ensures their motivation and happiness in continued engagement. Employee loyalty is a vital part of any successful team. It ensures that employees are motivated and engaged, leading to improved performance and increased turnover rates. A loyal workforce helps companies maintain lower costs, as they are more likely to be flexible and adaptable when needed.

What are some qualities of loyal employees?

Managers face the challenge of building loyalty in the workforce. It’s not easy, but it’s essential for a healthy and productive work environment. To begin with, we can take note of the qualities of loyal employees. Loyal employees are dedicated to their job and take pride in their work. They have a good attitude, are motivated, and strive for continuous improvement. Additionally, they exhibit strong team skills and can be relied on to handle complex tasks without issue. When looking for loyal employees, it is essential to focus on the following qualities:
  • Commitment: Employees are willing to make an effort every day, if necessary, not only to meet but exceed the expectations of their managers frequently.
  • Dedication: Employees should be passionate about what they do and feel a sense of ownership over their work; this will motivate them to perform at their best every day.
  • Accountability: Employees should feel like they can contribute something unique to the team while also feeling accountable for results enacted throughout the organization.
  • Ethical behavior: Employees should adhere to company values and standards in their personal and professional lives. It will create a positive work environment where employees feel comfortable challenging each other and raising concerns.
  • Team player: Employees who are team players value the success of the whole over their achievement. They are willing to put in the effort necessary to help the team succeed and take pride in their contributions, no matter how small they may seem.
  • Envision a future with the team: When looking for loyal employees, it is essential also to envision the employee’s future in the company. Loyal employees envision a future where they consistently are consistently a part of the team.

What is the importance of employee loyalty?

Employee loyalty is one of the most important things you can provide your business. It not only boosts employee morale and productivity but also establishes trust and credibility between you and your employees. Employees are more likely to be productive and motivated when they are committed to their jobs and feel like they’re part of something larger than themselves. Furthermore, employee loyalty breeds trust, which leads to strong corporate relationships. Loyalty encourages them to put their best foot forward daily and helps create a positive work environment. When employees feel like they are part of a community that supports and cares for each other, it creates a powerful force multiplier. It ultimately leads to better customer service, higher-quality products, and enhanced brand awareness. Additionally, employee loyalty can lead to increased hire rates as potential candidates want to join an organization where they know they will be valued and respected. Loyal employees contribute massively to enhancing employer equity.

How to build loyalty in the workplace?

Creating loyal employees is key to a successful business. Managers can build loyalty by providing good service, being available to employees, and being honest. Building a good relationship with your staff is essential because it will lead to a more productive workplace. Rewards are also an effective way to keep employees happy and motivated. By taking these steps, managers can create a strong foundation for building long-term loyalty in their workforce.

Build a welcoming environment

One of the most important things you can do to build loyalty in the workplace is to foster a team environment. You need to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions and roles are clearly defined. Being part of a team allows workers to share experiences, positive or negative so that there is a mutual understanding within the organization.

Appreciate your employees

You should also ensure that employees feel appreciated for their contributions, big or small. Employees who explicitly understand that their efforts are valued by their supervisors significantly improve performance. In addition, employees who feel appreciated are more likely to stay loyal to their organizations. Make sure to give specific, objective, relevant feedback to their work performance and carries a positive tone.

Be honest and transparent

One of the most important things you can do to build loyalty in the workplace is to be honest with your employees. It means being open about what’s happening inside the company and how decisions are made. It also means being forthcoming about changes that might affect employee productivity or satisfaction.
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Pay fair

Additionally, it is essential to offer competitive salaries and benefits, including health insurance premiums that cover all medical expenses. And finally, be open about your company’s policies, so employees know what they are entitled to and don’t feel like they are being taken advantage of. These measures will go a long way in creating loyal workers who will stick with your organization through thick and thin.

Encouraging creativity and risk-taking

Finally, fostering an environment where employees feel free to explore their creative and risk-taking sides is essential. It means allowing them to take on new opportunities, try new things, and fail without fear of retribution. In other words, give your employees the space they need to grow and learn professionally and personally. A creative environment encourages innovation and teamwork initiatives, leading to better products or services and higher morale among team members.

What happens when employees are not loyal?

When employees are not loyal, it can have a significant negative impact on the company. Not only is this bad for morale, but it also leads to decreased productivity and increased conflicts. A lack of loyalty can seriously damage your business. When employees are not loyal, it creates a rift between management and the workers, leading to lower productivity and losses. Additionally, it can be hard to motivate employees when they no longer have faith in their company or its future. All in all, it can hurt the company’s reputation, leading to attrition and hiring challenges. Losing good employees can mean losing customers, which in turn will lead to more significant financial losses. In addition, bad publicity may damage the company’s image and cause potential investors to shy away from investment opportunities. Therefore, creating a workplace culture that values loyalty and encourages employee satisfaction is essential.

Conclusion

Employee loyalty is one of the most critical factors in employee retention and satisfaction. Managers need to understand the importance of employee loyalty and build it into their workplace culture. Managers can create a positive environment that encourages employee satisfaction and retention. Make sure to read through the blog to find out more about the different ways in which building loyalty can help managers. We hope you have found this blog helpful!

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The Three Cs of Coaching That You Need To Adopt

The Three Cs of Coaching That You Need To Adopt

What makes a great leader? It’s the ability to inspire confidence, credibility, and challenge in those around them. However, becoming a great leader isn’t easy – in fact, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. That’s why leadership coaching is such a valuable tool – it helps managers and leaders achieve their full potential by focusing on the three Cs – confidence, credibility, and challenge. With this knowledge at your disposal, you’ll be able to provide maximum value from leadership coaching to your takers and achieve success in whatever you set your mind to!
Table of Contents

Essentials of leadership coaching

Leadership coaching is a specialized form of counselling that helps individuals seeking to lead effectively and efficiently. A leadership coach can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the context of leadership. They also offer guidance on how to address these issues constructively and consistently so that you can improve your leadership performance. Coaching may benefit people who currently lead or want to take leadership positions in organizations. It can also help those who want to develop their leadership skills but feel inhibited by uncertainty or fear. On the other hand, adopting the role of a coach brings many benefits to managers and leaders. We have discussed why managers should turn into coaches in detail here. As a leadership coach, you must have a strong understanding of the principles of leadership. This knowledge will allow you to provide relevant and helpful feedback to your clients. Understanding and empathizing with your clients will also enable you to build trust and rapport. When this happens, they are more likely to open up and share their thoughts and feelings with you.

Can managers turn into coaches?

Yes, managers can often become coaches when they understand their employees’ needs and work collaboratively to improve their performance. The manager can help equip the employee with the tools and skills necessary for success by developing a clear understanding of an employee’s strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the manager should create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and feedback to make improvements promptly. As a result, the manager and employee can learn from each other positively.

The Three Cs Of Coaching

If this is what you are planning to do with your team, here are the three Cs of leadership coaching that you need to keep in mind while coaching employees in the workplace: –

Confidence

Confidence is an important characteristic that can make or break a person’s life. It affects everything from how you think to how you behave, and it is essential for success in any field. When someone has confidence, they feel more positive about themselves and their abilities. This positive outlook allows them to take risks and venture out of their comfort zone more quickly. If you want to be a successful coach, you need to have confidence in your skills and abilities. It starts with the understanding that coaching is not about fixing things – it’s about helping people learn and grow. If you lack self-confidence, taking charge and leading a team will be difficult. That’s why it’s essential to find someone who believes in you as a coach and build from there. Hence, when you become a coach for your team, try your best to build their confidence. There are many different ways that people can achieve confidence, but one of the most common routes is self-development. From here, it becomes easier for you to identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you can focus on developing skills that will help you achieve your goals sooner rather than later. Moreover, becoming a coach will help you become more confident about your skills and abilities as well. Read more about confidence building techniques for managers and teams here.

Credibility

Credibility is the foundation of leadership coaching. If your employees don’t believe you have their best interests at heart, they will likely not be motivated to follow your advice and strategies. Building credibility is essential if you want to be an influential leader and coach in your team. It starts with being true to yourself and your values. The coaching should help you build credibility. And to ensure people stick around and learn what you offer, ensure they see results. Showcase your success in coaching others – it will show that you’re practical and credible. You can achieve this through the experience of working with other leaders or engaging in research that has been designed to improve leadership skills. Additionally, ensure that all your content is original and does not contain any recycled information or outdated theories. Finally, always deliver high-quality services by being consistently communicative and attending to your clients’ needs. By doing this, you’ll be building trust and creating a relationship of trust with them. In the end, credibility will be a given, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an influential leader.
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Challenge

Managing a team is hard, so taking on challenges is essential. As a coach, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your team is prepared for this. The importance of preparing for challenges through leadership coaching cannot be overstated. The skills and knowledge you learn help you become a successful leader. In addition, this type of training can equip me to handle difficult conversations and navigate complex interpersonal relationships. As such, leadership coaching can be incredibly beneficial for the career and the employees’ personal life. One way to do this is by finding things that present a challenge and pushing the boundaries of your employees. It will help you grow into their roles and explore new areas. Additionally, by taking on new challenges, they’ll be able to get your team to stretch their abilities and grow in the process. So, make sure you focus on giving challenging but achievable tasks to your team to ensure that they are motivated and constantly learning on the go. In short, leadership coaching is all about empowering and guiding people towards a successful career. And if done expertly, it can also add an extra layer of confidence to professional life. The right kind of assistance from a specialist who can pick up on your strengths and offer you prompt advice that will put you ahead in this competitive field. Read more: Principles of leadership coaching that you must know!

How can L&D professionals check for these 3 factors?

Let’s break down how Learning and Development (L&D) professionals can check for each of the three Cs of coaching – confidence, credibility, and challenge – within their coaching programs:

Confidence

      • Self-assessment: L&D professionals can design self-assessment tools or surveys to gauge the confidence levels of coaches and coaches. Questions could revolve around perceived competence in coaching skills, comfort level in handling coaching sessions, and belief in coaching’s effectiveness.
      • Feedback mechanisms: Establish feedback loops where coachees can provide anonymous or direct feedback on the confidence level of their coaches. This feedback can be gathered through surveys, interviews, or structured feedback sessions.
      • Observation and evaluation: L&D professionals can observe coaching sessions either in person or through recordings to assess the confidence levels exhibited by coaches. They can evaluate factors such as body language, tone of voice, and assertiveness during coaching interactions.

      Credibility

          • Credentials and qualifications: Ensure that coaches possess relevant credentials, certifications, or qualifications in coaching. L&D professionals can verify these credentials through official documentation or accreditation bodies.
          • Past performance: Review past performance evaluations or feedback from previous coaching engagements to assess coaches’ credibility. Positive testimonials or references from past coachees can also attest to a coach’s credibility.
          • Peer review and validation: Encourage peer review among coaching professionals within the organization. This can involve peer observations, collaborative coaching sessions, or peer feedback to validate coaches’ credibility.

          Challenge

            • Goal-setting process: Incorporate a robust goal-setting process within coaching programs. Ensure that coaches challenge coaches to set ambitious yet achievable goals that align with their developmental needs and organizational objectives.
            • Feedback on progress: Regularly review and provide feedback on coachees’ progress. L&D professionals can assess whether coaches are effectively challenging them to stretch their capabilities and overcome obstacles.
            • Reflective practices: Encourage reflective practices among coaches and coachees to evaluate the level of challenge within coaching interactions. Coaches can facilitate reflective discussions that prompt coachees to explore their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.
            If you want help setting up goals for your teams, sign up for Risely today. Risely understands that with AI-powered leadership development programs, you can build a team of leaders who know how to adapt and thrive in changing environments. When you choose Risely for your next training program, you’ll get access to our curated resources full of engaging content and assessments that will help you develop new skills and increase your confidence as a leader. All from the comfort of your home or office, whenever you want!

            Conclusion

            In conclusion, a coach needs to understand the essential qualities they need to build through leadership coaching. It is crucial not just for the employee receiving the coaching but also to offer value to the manager who is offering the coaching. While ensuring the upcoming managers and leaders are confident in their roles and ready to take challenges head-on, managers need to ensure that they are credible figures who can lead teams effectively. Additionally, by providing challenging tasks and fostering a growth-orientated environment, coaching can help teams to achieve their objectives more efficiently.

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            Managing Unpredictability At Work: 5 Effective Tips

            Managing Unpredictability At Work: 5 Effective Tips

            Sometimes, no matter how prepared or well-prepared a team might be, unpredictable events at work can cause disruptions and tension. This is where managers and leaders come in – they need to learn to tackle unpredictability effectively so that their teams remain intact and able to flourish through challenges. By understanding the effects of uncertainty on teams, managers can better prepare their teams for such events, and help them maintain cohesion and motivation. In fact, by learning how to tackle unpredictability at work effectively, managers can even improve their own productivity and morale. So read on for tips on how to manage unpredictability at work in an effective way!
            Table of Contents

            How does uncertainty at work affect teams?

            Work can be unpredictable at times, which can create tension and lower morale among team members. To combat this, create a plan that addresses how uncertainty will be handled. This way, everyone is on the same page and can work together to come up with solutions. Encourage team members to communicate openly and brainstorm solutions together. If uncertainty is still a major issue, consider using mechanisms like debriefing or problem solving forums to help teams improve their performance. In the end, managing unpredictability at work is a challenge, but with a well-planned strategy, it can be overcome.

            Why should managers learn to tackle unpredictability at work?

            In today’s rapidly changing environment, managers need to be prepared for any and all contingencies. This means that they must be able to handle unpredictability in their work environments, which can come in the form of changes in workloads or priorities. If a manager is not able to adapt quickly and effectively, they may find themselves at a disadvantage when competing for promotions or trying to retain key team members. The major problems arising out of unpredictability are:

            Anxiety

            Uncertainty leads to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty in team members. This can create a negative work atmosphere, as team members start to feel insecure and stressed out. In extreme cases, this can lead to mental health problems like depression or anxiety disorders. When managers are able to manage unpredictability effectively, it not only benefits the team itself but also helps the manager stay focused and productive. On the other hand, the rapid influx of changes can drive anxiety and stress high in no time. APA’s survey noted that American citizens noted uncertainty as the major cause of stress.

            Burnout

            Unpredictability can also lead to burnout among team members. This is when employees reach a point where they just can’t take the pressure anymore and start to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Burnout leads to less productive workers, which in turn adversely affects the company’s performance. Moreover, it reduces the employee’s trust in management and makes them less likely to volunteer for tasks that are not their cup of tea. Managers who are at the forefront of operations deal with uncertainty and challenges more than anyone else, and they are highly prone to burnout as a result. Not only does it kill productivity, it drives away innovation and creativity of teams.

            Suffering productivity

            In the long run, unpredictability can have a negative impact on productivity. Firstly, it creates anxiety and uncertainty among team members. This in turn disrupts the flow of work and makes it difficult for everyone to focus on their tasks. Secondly, rapid changes in workloads or priorities often lead to confusion and chaos among employees. Finally, when teams are constantly struggling with change and don’t know what’s coming next, they tend to give up prematurely and stop trying new things altogether. All these factors result in decreased output from workers which ultimately affects company profitability.

            Less attention to detail

            In addition to all the aforementioned negative effects, unpredictability can also lead to less attention to detail. For example, employees may not be as careful in their work or they may make mistakes because they’re too busy trying to figure out what’s going on. This leads to increased errors and accidents, which in turn wastes resources and damages equipment. Needless to say, a lack of focus and professionalism can have serious consequences for efficiency.

            Negative environment in the workplace

            A chaotic and unpredictable workplace is also very unpleasant for employees. Not only do they have to deal with constant changes in task, but they also have to put up with hostile colleagues who are constantly challenging them. This creates an environment of stress and tension which can eventually lead to burnout. In extreme cases, it may even result in employee turnover or sabotage of projects on purpose. Needless to say, a bad work environment is simply not conducive to productivity and efficiency overall and makes workplace unlikeable. As a result, attrition is sure to run high, creating further challenges for managers. In addition, managers who are unable to deal with unpredictable situations are also more likely to experience stress-related health problems such as insomnia or weight gain. In order for businesses to remain competitive and sustainable in an ever-changing landscape, it is essential that management teams are equipped with the skills necessary to navigate these challenging waters successfully.
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            How to Tackle Unpredictability at Work Effectively?

            Working in an unpredictable environment can be a major challenge. However, there are several methods that can help you deal with the unpredictability and stay organized. Make sure you have a plan for every possible scenario, and stick to it no matter what. Be calm and confident under pressure, and you’ll be able to stay on task and produce great results.

            Understand and acknowledge the reality

            Understand that unpredictability is part of many workplaces. Things will always change, and there is never a guarantee that tasks will be completed in the same way each time. It’s important to accept this reality and not get upset or frustrated when things don’t go as planned. Instead, try to understand why things are changing and figure out how best to adapt accordingly. The key is to acknowledge the changes which will be a part of working and avoiding close attachments to fixed elements.

            Contingency planning in agile mode

            Instead of working in a rigid, planned mode where tasks are set in stone, many agile methodologies rely on quick and frequent changes. This means that tasks may need to be changed or reworked frequently, which can create additional unpredictability. As always, it is important to have contingency plans in place for when things don’t go as planned. Make sure you have accurate estimates for all aspects of your project so that you can still hit deadlines and meet expectations.

            Invest in taking care of your mental health

            No matter how successful you are in the workplace, there will be times when things seem to go wrong. Stress levels can rise rapidly and it can be difficult to keep a cool head under pressure. Make sure you take care of your mental health by scheduling regular breaks, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. This will help reduce stress levels and enable you to focus on work without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. Practicing forgiveness will help you remain calm as well.

            Be open to risk

            Risk is an important part of any successful undertaking and brings significant uncertainty. It can be scary to take a risk, but it’s also essential for achieving desired results. If you’re not comfortable taking risks, then you may find it difficult to succeed in the long term. As with all things, there are pros and cons to every type of risk-taking behavior. Do your research before making any decisions so that you understand the potential consequences and weigh them against the benefits of taking on that particular risk. But, if you change your mindset to welcome risk more often you can deal with unpredictable things more easily.

            Find ways out

            In order to remain calm and collected when things go wrong, it’s important to have a plan for how you’ll react. This can involve identifying certain coping mechanisms, such as exercise or meditation, that will help you manage stress and stay positive. However, sometimes there are no simple solutions; in these cases, it may be helpful to find ways out of the situation. This could mean reaching out for support from friends or family members, delegating work tasks so someone else can take on the burden, or seeking professional advice if necessary. The key is to look for positives in every situation.

            Conclusion

            Uncertainty at work can be a huge challenge for teams and managers alike. By understanding the reasons for unpredictability and how to effectively tackle it, you can help your team stay calm and focused in the face of change. In addition to this, learn how to effectively communicate with your team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Make sure to read through this blog and take the steps necessary to tackle unpredictability at work successfully!

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            FAQs

            What causes unpredictability at workplace?

            Unpredictability at the workplace can be caused by various factors, such as changes in the market, unexpected events, organizational restructuring, or technological advancements. These factors can create uncertainty and volatility in the workplace.

            How do you manage unpredictability?

            To manage unpredictability, it’s essential to be adaptable and flexible in your approach. Some strategies that can help include being proactive, staying informed and up-to-date, developing contingency plans, and building strong relationships and networks with colleagues and stakeholders.

            How do you deal with an unpredictable work schedule?

            Dealing with an unpredictable work schedule can be challenging, but some tips that can help include setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and communicating effectively with your team and manager. It’s also important to practice self-care and time management to minimize stress and burnout.

            What is uncertainty in the workplace?

            Uncertainty in the workplace refers to the lack of clarity or predictability about the future, such as changes in leadership, company direction, or market trends. This uncertainty can cause anxiety and stress among employees, affecting productivity and morale. Effective communication, transparency, and support can help alleviate some of the uncertainty and create a more stable and positive work environment.

            How to adopt shared leadership? Explained with examples

            How to adopt shared leadership? Explained with examples

            Are you a leader? If the answer is yes, you’re likely well aware of the importance of being a leader. But what exactly is shared leadership, and why is it so important? In this blog, we’ll discuss the concept of shared leadership – a leadership style that benefits both managers and leaders. We’ll also explain the benefits and its various advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we’ll provide examples of shared leadership and explain how to implement it in your work life. So whether you’re a leader looking to improve your team’s performance or a manager looking to take your leadership skills to the next level, read on!
            Table of Contents

            What is Shared Leadership?

            Shared leadership is a style of leadership which involves leaders sharing decision-making responsibilities and power with team members. This type of leadership emphasizes cooperation and collective decision-making rather than individual achievement or dominance. Managers have always been in charge, but things have changed with the rise of the sharing economy. With shared leadership, managers share power and resources as per need, promoting team collaboration and trust. It leads to more efficient and effective workforces because it encourages communication and transparency. In turn, this leadership style creates a productive, positive, and sustainable environment for the organization as a whole. In this leadership model, executives share decision-making authority and responsibilities. This type of structure reduces the amount of stress that employees experience and allows for more effective communication between leaders. It encourages collective problem-solving, improves morale, and creates an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best ideas. There are other interesting leadership styles that you can check out!

            Advantages of Shared Leadership

            It is a powerful concept that allows businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively. The benefits of shared leadership include:
            • Faster decision-making: With everyone involved in making decisions, progress is more rapid than if decisions were made solely by those with the most knowledge or experience. This facilitates better problem-solving and innovation by allowing contributions from the whole team.
            • Reduced conflict: In many cases, when individual leaders have autonomy over their departments, disputes arise about how resources should be allocated or who deserves credit for success. When this leadership style is implemented, these conflicts are eliminated because different people hold different levels of authority within the organization and are collectively responsible for the results. 
            • Employee satisfaction: Employees who enjoy working in an environment where they can trust their leader will not feel overloaded or rushed; instead, they will be able to focus on their tasks without distractions from above them. Moreover, when employees are granted a leadership share, they are more likely to be engaged at work, enabling better results.

            Disadvantages of Shared Leadership

            Shared leadership can have many advantages, but it is essential to be aware of the potential disadvantages to make an informed decision.
            • Lack of Ownership: One disadvantage is that team members may not feel ownership over their projects or goals. Additionally, shared leadership often requires high trust and communication between team members, which can be challenging to maintain in chaotic environments.
            • Increased conflicts: Another problem associated with this leadership style is the increased conflict and stress that it creates. When people are responsible for multiple tasks and responsibilities, disagreements will inevitably be about what should be done and who should do it. This type of organizational chaos often leads to setbacks or slower progress than would otherwise be possible.
            • Individual development suffers: In addition, the shared leadership style can often lead to a lack of individual leadership development. Since team members are not responsible for their projects or goals, they may not feel the need to develop themselves to be influential leaders within the organization.
            Ultimately, if this leadership style is suitable for your team, then make sure to carefully consider all the benefits before implementing it into your organization.

            Examples of Shared Leadership in Action

            Shared leadership is a style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation. It can be a great way to promote collaboration and flexibility within the organization while promoting innovation and creativity. There are many examples of shared leadership in action, so it’s worth learning about them. For example, one manager may lead by example, delegating authority to other team members. It allows subordinates to feel more comfortable making decisions and taking risks. It also promotes a sense of cohesion and unity within the team. Another excellent example of shared leadership is when a leader gives team members the freedom to pursue their goals in their way. It allows for a great deal of creativity and innovation, as traditional decision-making processes restrain team members. In the end, shared leadership is a leadership style that can benefit everyone involved. Other instances of shared leadership can look like…
            • Collaborative decision-making: A manager may involve team members in the decision-making process for important issues, seeking their input and opinions, and making decisions together as a group.
            • Delegation of tasks: A manager may delegate tasks to team members based on their strengths and abilities, providing them with the necessary resources and support to complete the tasks successfully.
            • Coaching and mentoring: A manager may support the development of team members by providing regular feedback, coaching, and mentoring to help them grow and develop in their roles, and achieve their career goals. This can involve regularly checking in with team members, setting goals and objectives together, and providing ongoing support and guidance to help them succeed.

            How to practice shared leadership with your team?

            Shared leadership is a theory and practice that asserts that everyone in a team has the opportunity to lead and that leaders should not dictate everything. Instead, they should create an environment where employees can share their ideas and feedback. It allows team members to be more creative and innovative because they know their ideas will be heard and considered. The critical element of implementing shared leadership is creating an atmosphere where individuals feel comfortable voicing their opinions freely without fear of retribution or censure from their superiors. For this philosophy to take root, leaders must set an example by being confident in themselves yet open-minded towards others’ thoughts and suggestions. Moreover, a few steps that you can take to practice this leadership style with your team are:

            Strengthen the relationships

            Creating strong relationships with your team members is the first step to implementing shared leadership. It means being emotionally and intellectually available to them, listening attentively, and treating everyone equally. Doing this will help foster a sense of trust and cohesion within the team, which is essential for success in shared leadership. Moreover, it would help if you also focused on developing emotional competency as a manager to ensure that your team members are mentally prepared for the change. At times, it can be challenging when individuals do not receive due credit for their efforts. You will need to ensure that individual actions are not dulled in the face of team success.

            Boost communication

            The second step to implementing shared leadership is improving communication between team members. It means ensuring everyone has the same information, providing opportunities for dialogue, and facilitating collaboration. Too often, we rely on formal communication channels at the expense of informal discussions. It results in misunderstandings and miscommunication that can stall team productivity. The key to success with shared leadership is ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned with a common goal so that coordination can occur effectively and rapidly. Moreover, you need to focus on communication to ensure every team member finds a place too, and few do not capture the whole spotlight.

            Facilitate collective decision making

            The third step to implementing shared leadership is facilitating collective decision-making. It means ensuring team members can share their views and propose solutions without fear of retribution or favoritism. We often try to make decisions ourselves instead of collaborating with others to protect our interests. However, this ultimately slows down team progress and can result in missed opportunities. It relies on cohesion and consensus-building among team members; it cannot be imposed from the top down. Instead, you need to facilitate a culture where everyone feels comfortable contributing their ideas and opinions in an open environment and does not feel isolated.

            Make the missions clear

            The final step to implementing shared leadership is clarifying the team’s missions. This includes defining the goals and objectives of the team, as well as specifying each member’s role in achieving those goals. Without a clear purpose, it is difficult for team members to know why they are working together and how their contributions can help achieve success. Furthermore, disagreements about team goals can cause division and ultimately undermine teamwork. By clearly delineating the team’s objectives, you establish a foundation from which everyone can work collaboratively towards joint success, even when responsibilities are not concentrated in one place.

            Get coaching to ease the change

            To successfully implement shared leadership, you must be prepared for a change in your behavior. Shared leadership is not about dictating decision-making or telling team members what to do but facilitating collaboration and consensus-building. However, this leadership style can be challenging to adopt if you are used to making all the decisions without input from others. In such cases, it may help to seek coaching or consulting services that can teach you how best to work with others. You can check out the different types of coaching available for managers and leaders. Otherwise, you can customize your very own with Risely!

            Conclusion

            Shared leadership is a type of leadership in which team members share decision-making responsibilities. This approach has several benefits that can be helpful for managers, including increased team cohesion and productivity. However, shared leadership has its challenges. Make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of shared leadership before implementing it into your team’s culture. Finally, remember to celebrate the successes of shared leadership with your team members!

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            FAQs

            Is shared leadership a leadership style?

            Shared leadership is a leadership style that calls for contribution of team members in all critical activities such as decision-making and strategy design for the team. It seeks a horizontal, rather than a vertical structure.

            What are shared values in leadership?

            Shared values developed and adopted by the team form the bedrock of leadership initiatives in a team. These are respected by all team members and guide them in daily operations.

            When should shared leadership be used?

            Shared leadership is an effective mode of managing teams which are built with experienced and learned employees who seek autonomy at work. The freedom to design work suits their innovative minds.

            What are the three dimensions of shared leadership?

            The three dimensions of shared leadership are a shared purpose, shared values to guide on the journey, and a shared voice to express concerns of all.

            5 Ways To Ensure Effective Communication With Remote Teams

            5 Ways To Ensure Effective Communication With Remote Teams

            Remote work is becoming increasingly popular, and for a good reason. It opens up many opportunities for people to work from anywhere in the world, and it has a number of benefits, like improved flexibility. However, remote work comes with its challenges. Effective communication with remote teams is a critical challenge for managers. This blog focuses on how managers and leaders need to focus on communication in remote teams and suggests ways to do so. Doing this can help ensure that team productivity is high and everyone is on the same page.
            Table of Contents

            The Importance of Communication with Remote Teams

            Communication is crucial for remote teams because it allows members to stay in contact and collaborate easily. This not only helps to ensure that tasks are completed on time, but it also enables team members to provide feedback and suggestions quickly and effectively. When communication is effective, everyone feels motivated and engaged – which leads to increased motivation, productivity, creativity, and satisfaction within the team. Open communication with virtual teams also helps build trust and rapport between team members, leading to better collaboration. Furthermore, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings or conflict, creating tension or even workplace resentment. It’s important, therefore, to establish clear guidelines for how employees should communicate with each other so that managers can address all concerns efficiently. Not only that, but managers also need to take steps to ensure that their teams are doing more than the bare minimum in communication. In the next section, we will see five ways managers can enhance effectiveness of communication with remote teams.

            5 Ways to Ensure Effective Communication With Virtual Teams

            Pick the right medium

            One of the most important things managers can do to improve communication with remote teams is to pick the right medium. For example, email is often seen as a formal way of communicating, which can help to build trust and ensure that deadlines are met on time. However, video chat or FaceTime can also effectively convey messages more informally. They also help create an alternative to face-to-face meetings and minimize the isolation one might feel while talking to a screen the whole day. It’s also important to consider the team member’s preferred communication method, so everyone feels comfortable participating in discussions. If the team members are unfamiliar with the tools the team is using, they might wander off the conversations. Managers can ensure they are provided training to get hold of the applications or services used for communication. Another important point to note here is that the communication medium should refrain from constantly intervening in the employees’ personal lives. Here, it is important to ensure that employees should only be expected to be available someday. Hence, the medium needs one such which gives them the autonomy to answer as per their comfort.

            Show empathy

            One of the key things that remote members need from their managers is empathy for their team members. This can be in the form of support and understanding when something goes wrong, being there to give feedback even if it’s difficult to hear, or simply just listening attentively without interrupting. By providing these gestures, employees will feel more connected to their manager and ultimately work harder as they know that someone out there cares about them and wants them to succeed. Managers can improve communication with remote teams by being proactive in their approach. For example, they can check in with team members to see how they’re doing and what challenges they’re facing. They can also keep the team up-to-date on changes or developments within the company, especially if it affects their work. By being proactive in communication, managers are more likely to build trust and effective working relationships with remote team members. Showing that the managers and leaders care about the employees effectively ensures that the team members are open with them.

            Build relationships with and within your team

            In order to be effective in communication with remote teams, it is important to build relationships within the team first. This means getting to know each member well and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Once this groundwork has been laid, managers can begin implementing communication strategies that best suit the team. One way of doing this is by assigning specific tasks or roles to team members to better connect them with one another. For example, suppose two remote employees work together on different parts of a project. In that case, they may want to assign one member as the primary contact for both tasks, making them more likely to work together effectively. Managers can also make time for team meetings to share updates and discuss challenges as a team. This way, remote team members know that the manager is paying attention to them and is interested in their progress. In addition, managers should encourage team members to collaborate and work on projects together. It allows them to know and understand each other better. You can also check a few icebreaker office games to get the conversations started.
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            Create structure and guidelines

            Once managers have built relationships with team members and established communication guidelines, they can create structure. This may include setting up email threads or message boards to keep everyone updated on progress. In addition, remote team members may also benefit from regular check-in meetings and discussions. These meetings can be a forum to discuss non-work related issues, such as personal life, hobbies, or weekend plans. Having structure and guidelines for remote teams is essential for two primary reasons. Firstly, ensuring that the employees are comfortable and their work-life balance is not disturbed is necessary. With structured communication, they can avoid falling into mismanagement and ending up staying longer hours. Secondly, guidelines are important to ensure the psychological safety of the teams. In remote scenarios, picking out toxic behavior and bullying can be challenging. Hence, guidelines are needed to ensure that personal boundaries are maintained in all communication with remote teams, whether it is work-related or otherwise.

            Conduct one-on-one meetings

            One-on-one meetings are also a great way to get closer to team members. In these meetings, managers can ask about their work and check their progress. They can also chat with team members about non-work related issues to better understand them. Additionally, one-on-one meetings allow managers to offer feedback and help when needed. When working remotely, it can be very easy for employees to get isolated from their teams. They have few avenues to share concerns or feedback too. In such cases, one-on-one meetings can be a lifesaver. One-on-one meetings with managers allow engaging with their leader and help address many issues. For instance, the manager can discuss an employee’s struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance during such a session. Managers can use it to build emotional connections with their teams. Emotional connections in teams create bonds based on trust and mutual respect. They help the employees feel at home at work. Read more about how managers can ensure a remarkable employee experience for remote employees.

            Conclusion

            Now that businesses are increasingly switching to remote and hybrid work modes, it is crucial for managers to address the unique challenges they bring. In such scenarios, efficiency is highly dependent on communication with virtual teams. Therefore, managers should take extra care to ensure that communication with remote teams is carried out smoothly. This blog post lists five ways managers can guarantee robust communication with remote teams. Make sure you revisit us for more helpful tips on management and leadership.

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            Is An Existential Crisis Hurting You Professionally?

            Is An Existential Crisis Hurting You Professionally?

            Managers go through many challenges – from dealing with team conflicts to managing time effectively. But what about the tougher times – when everything seems to be going wrong? These are known as existential crises and can be incredibly challenging for managers. In this blog post, we’ll explore what an existential crisis is, how it can affect managers and teams, and what you can do to help overcome them. We also include a handy guide on identifying an existential crisis in your workplace and how to deal with it. So if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, read on for the answers you need!
            Table of Contents

            What does an existential crisis mean?

            An existential crisis typically refers to an internal struggle. A person suffering an existential crisis often feels that life lacks meaning. They might question the reason, choices, and purpose of their life. Generally, these questions do not have any clear answers. As a result, the person experiencing an existential crisis ends up in a continuous loop where they feel stuck. The feelings of purposelessness make us feel stuck. In the absence of hope, we might lose direction. Eventually, the existential crisis makes people feel alone in the middle of nowhere. Existential crises can affect managers and leaders just like any other individual. However, for managers, the situation is a bit different. An existential crisis can severely impact the productivity of a manager and, thus, their team. Moreover, managers might face existential crises due to work-related issues very often. Generally, existential crises are viewed negatively. And, of course, that makes perfect sense because an existential crisis is associated with a loss of hope and direction. But, we should not let a negative air take over. It is equally essential to look at the positive aspects of any situation. Existential crises can present excellent opportunities to reinvent our life. You can fill the nothingness with your favorite colors to draw your own life. It presents a chance to evaluate and reimagine our core ideas in life. Taking charge of situations is what effective management is about!

            The different types of existential crises

            Problems do not arrive in a one size fits all box. Instead, existential crises can happen in many ways and for many reasons. Although we cannot summarize all of them, we will try to understand the main types of existential crises. Knowing the types of crises you can face is imperative to understand your situation better. Typically for managers, more often than not, the crisis might be linked to work. Office politics and professional responsibilities can push our limits frequently. We will see the different types of existential crises through the questions that they raise. Does my work have a meaning? The “meaning of life” existential crisis typically makes one question the reason for their existence. The person feels as if their life is inherently pointless. Consequently, none of their thoughts or actions could have made any change – as they are meaningless too. At times, they might wonder what the point of their existence is. For managers, it can happen through questions that examine the point of their role in the team. They might feel that the team does not need their efforts, and they exist only to add hindrances and reduce productivity. Am I an authentic person? Existential crises can also make us feel that our existence is one big act. The big-shot manager, who everyone looks up to, might feel that they are fake. Often, people undergoing this type of existential crisis feel that they are not being genuine with anyone in life. This feeling can sink in at work even more easily if the environment is not open and comfortable. To cope with the demands and overcome constant challenges, managers might display emotions they do not actually feel. As a result, they might feel that they are faking. Do I stand for the correct values? This existential crisis happens when we are unsure of the direction to take in life. Often, circumstances make us doubt the validity and viability of the core values we have based on our whole lives. It might have when some decision goes the wrong way. As a result, we feel a need to rethink our values and ideas. Am I going in the right direction? Existential crises can happen when we are undergoing major events in our lives. Starting a new degree or switching jobs can be important moments where the trajectory of our lives is wholly redesigned. At such moments, self-doubt might accompany you. When managers are at the head of major changes, or see significant shifts in their industry, they might question their choices thus far. This feeling could increase largely if the event were unanticipated. Over time, as we adapt to the changes, the feeling might abate. Why did this happen?  Unexpected events and upheavals in life can shake our belief in our values. You might ask yourself this question when you did everything right but still suffered dire consequences. Such instances can make one question their existence. In the case of managers, these incidents are the most common because they design and lead efforts. Yet, circumstances can trump them. They might feel that nothing is in their control, so taking action is futile.

            What triggers an existential crisis?

            Existential crises can happen due to several reasons. Typically, they are triggered by major changes in life. For managers, professional changes can closely affect their mental health too. A few major reasons from both spheres that can trigger an existential crisis in managers include:

            Big changes

            Major life changes can always make us rethink life. When we go through significant movements, for instance, a company merger, we might question ourselves. If the change can bring significant shifts to the direction of our life, it can affect us a lot. Generally, it can happen largely when the change does not sit well with us, or we might need to make significant efforts to adjust to life after it. For managers, both personal and professional changes can have a significant impact.

            Unexpected events

            Unexpected events make us question a lot of things. For starters, we make significant changes to our goals and -plans to accommodate them. However, not every unanticipated change has to be a cause for worry. When the changes require us to make an effort and impact us deeply in ways that we can’t control, we end up questioning our lives due to them. In the fast-paced corporate world, managers often deal with unanticipated challenges. Therefore, it can be a common cause of existential crises for managers and leaders. This reason is more significant in light of recent years. The Covid-19 pandemic threw schedules out of the window. Managers were the first ones to face the heat as they had to coordinate the shift of workplaces to a fully online medium in such a short duration. It strained the mental health of many people holding leadership positions, and some even dipped into existential crises due to the failure of plans they had worked so hard on.

            Unable to achieve desired results

            The inability to get something we feel we deserve can often leave us angry, annoyed, and questioning. We often make the best efforts, yet the results fall short. It is a critical issue for managers because they must set goals and derive results from entire teams, not just themselves. The inability of a manager to achieve the desired results on time might not even happen due to their shortcomings but those of their teams or the circumstances. For example, the manager shows up to work motivated every day. They give their best daily and often go beyond duty by bringing innovative and quick solutions. Yet, they are not recognized by their superiors for the efforts they make. They are treated the same as other managers who do the bare minimum and do not build great relationships with their teams. What happens, then? Our manager might wonder about the utility of their efforts due to disappointing feedback. They could conclude that making efforts is futile, and thus, their choices are meaningless. The values on which those choices are based are also not the best because they are not helping them achieve the results they would like.

            Feeling out of control

            In some cases, existential crises happen because of feelings of lacking control. We feel as though we are powerless to change our circumstances or the world around us. This can be extremely frustrating, especially when we work hard and things still do not go our way. It is easy to give up and start thinking that life is just not worth it anymore-defining ourselves by our negative experiences instead of celebrating what makes us happy. We all have those moments where everything seems hopeless and out of reach, no matter how much effort we put into that sinking feeling that tells us this will never end. This feeling is extremely common for managers, as they deal with multiple things – and not all of them may be under their control to the same extent. For instance, their company’s merger with a huge conglomerate forces them to change their working style. They are shifted to a new team that is not adjusted to them. Such forced changes can make one feel like a puppet with no control over anything. In such a situation, we raise questions about our life’s worth and values.

            Personal loss

            It is also not uncommon for existential crises to stem from personal losses- the death of a loved one, divorce, or even losing our job. It can be difficult to cope with big life changes that happen suddenly and unexpectedly. The world seems unsafe, where anything could happen at any time. It becomes hard to believe those good things will ever come our way again, and we may feel hopeless about the future. All these feelings can lead us into a state of depression, another common cause of existential crisis episodes. The things happening in personal lives can also seep into the professional lives of managers. As a result, they might develop similar thoughts in that aspect as well, despite their achievements.

            Professional setback

            A professional setback can also lead to an existential crisis. For instance, if a manager is suddenly laid off from their job or made redundant, it can be difficult for them to cope with the situation. They might feel like their world has crumbled and that life as they know it is over. This despair and loneliness can further fuel feelings of existential angst in managers. This is especially true for employees who have been with their organizations for long periods. When they are offered the Golden Handshake, they get a lot of questions in their mind, too, as they have developed a part of their identity from their association with the job.

            How do existential crises affect managers?

            There’s no one-size-fits-all answer regarding how existential crises affect managers. However, we can observe some general themes. For example, existential crises can lead to a loss of identity and a feeling of not being in control. Managers who experience these crises may feel overwhelmed and lost at work. It can eventually trigger an identity crisis in them. Managers dealing with an existential crisis can become less effective at their roles. Due to a lot going on in their minds, they might feel overwhelmed. Consequently, they will look for escapes and try to avoid dealing with challenges. They might be unable to communicate effectively with their teams. Productivity can suffer too, as their motivation would be low because they assume inherent uselessness in every task they have planned. In addition, existential crises can also cause anxiety and increase stress. This is because they lead to a feeling of fear and uncertainty. Anxiety can affect mental health and work performance, making existential crises even more harmful for managers. In totality, the manager becomes unable to remain confident in their role. Essential functions like delegation, decision-making, guidance, and planning operations suffer. Existential crises affect managers negatively in both their personal and professional lives.

            How to identify an existential crisis?

            Self-doubt

            Self-doubt is typically seen in an existential crisis. As we have noted, it makes us question our core values and decisions in life. Heavy self-doubt can affect us terribly during an existential crisis because it adds to negative thoughts and feelings.

            Lack of motivation

            Lack of motivation is typical during an existential crisis. As a result of the constant questioning and huge bouts of self-doubt, we might feel demotivated.

            Isolation

            An existential crisis typically makes us rethink our value in other people’s lives. It might feel that only we are holding on to the relationship while others do not value us as much. Resultantly, we withdraw from the relationships and isolate ourselves from our peers.

            Feeling directionless and unable to do things

            Common feelings during existential crises are an inability to make decisions and a lack of motivation. As a result, we may feel hopeless about our life goals and future. This makes us feel like giving up on everything we had before.

            Worrying too much

            Another hallmark of existential crises is the tendency to worry excessively. As we discussed, self-doubt and negative thoughts can lead us to anxiety and depression. And as a result, we might find it hard just to let go of our worries and live life in the present moment.
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            How to deal with existential crises as a manager?

            Overcoming existential crises can be a challenging prospect. However, there are many ways to lessen the effects of existential crises and reduce the detrimental impact they can create on you. In one part, we cannot avoid the reasons for existential crises entirely. Change, whether expected or unexpected, and losses are a part of life. Therefore, it is impossible to make the feelings of loss and self-doubt leave your side. But you can surely overcome them with the help of the following techniques:

            Recognize and accept the feelings

            When undergoing an existential crisis, it is important to begin by understanding your own emotions. At times, you might be confused about your feelings. Therefore, you should sit with yourself and try to evaluate your thoughts. Sorting the overwhelming mess of feelings into a good change is the key to starting the process of overcoming an existential crisis. After understanding your thoughts, you can begin looking for solutions. You will need to leave the old point of view and readjust yourself to consider the situation differently.

            Express yourself

            Talking about your existential crisis can help clarify and understand the experience. Talking to someone who understands you well – even if that person is a family member or friend – can help reduce anxiety and depression. Expressing yourself openly can also help you realize that there are others out there who have undergone similar experiences. Talking about the feelings of an existential crisis can provide comfort, which is vital for overcoming them. If you are uncomfortable sharing things with someone, you can journal your feelings at the end of each day. Focus on expressing gratitude in those entries, and note positive things in your life.

            Seek support from loved ones

            It is important to seek the help of loved ones when experiencing an existential crisis. We can do this in a number of ways, such as by talking to our family or friends about what we are going through. It can also be helpful to have someone who understands your feelings and can listen without judging you. Talking with loved ones about existential crises often leads to resolving the crises themselves. Some people find that therapy is an effective way of coping with existential crises. If this is something that appeals to you, it would be best to consult a mental health professional who specializes in helping patients address existential crises. You can also look into the support systems available at your workplace.

            Build agile plans

            Suppose anxiety or depression is a significant issue for you. In that case, it may be helpful to build an agile plan of action that does not suffer major setbacks due to unanticipated changes. This type of plan will also help you create specific goals and timelines for addressing the issues causing your existential crisis. So you can reduce feelings of hopelessness and despair over things that you cannot control. Otherwise, you can look for alternate solutions if the initial one fails by using it as a learning opportunity. Gaining the most out of a bad experience is the key.

            Focus on things that you can control

            When experiencing an existential crisis, it can be helpful to focus on things you can control. We need to stop concentrating on things that are beyond our control. Instead, you can try to do the best out of the resources at your disposal. The satisfaction of making the best honest effort can be a great feeling. This could mean setting goals for yourself and working towards them one step at a time. Developing positive mental health habits such as mindfulness meditation or journaling will help too. These activities will help remove your mind from negative thoughts and feelings, which can help improve your overall mental health outlook even during difficult times.

            Search for Meaning

            One of the most important things you can do during an existential crisis is to search for meaning in your life. Indeed, this might seem ironical – because an existential crisis questions the meaning of life. But the answer to that question is the ultimate solution to this problem. When you are contemplating in your thoughts for hours, you can actually identify the purpose of your life. And in all instances, the true purpose of your life would be bigger than the event that triggered an existential crisis. A thousand things affect managers, but none of those failed projects or bad presentations is bigger than the purpose of any manager’s life. A manager’s skill in supporting their teams to reach new heights is a much more important part of their life. Beyond that, a manager’s personal life holds immense value too. Therefore, you can always look for solutions if you face an existential crisis as a manager due to professional issues.

            Conclusion

            Managers often face existential crises – sometimes, they are triggered by life events, and other times they seem to come out of nowhere. If you’re struggling with an existential crisis, don’t despair! There are steps you can take to overcome it. By understanding the different types of existential crises and what triggers them, you can better identify when one is happening and take the necessary steps to deal with it.

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            Why Do Managers Need A Leadership Attitude To Succeed?

            Why Do Managers Need A Leadership Attitude To Succeed?

            “Attitude is everything”, it’s a line we have all heard often. An attitude marks the first step to commitment towards a goal. And in the journey of becoming a successful leader, attitude makes an indelible mark. It is vital as it leaves its imprint everywhere – from your approach to problems to your reaction to disappointments at work. In this blog post, we will uncover the essentials of a leadership attitude for managers. We will also see why managers need to focus on developing a leadership attitude to succeed at their jobs. And lastly, we will note important tips on managers can develop a leadership attitude.
            Table of Contents

            What are the essential components of a leadership attitude?

            What does it mean to have a leadership attitude? At its core, it sets an example for others to follow. Leaders need to work hard and handle difficult situations calmly and confidently. They must also be able to delegate effectively so everyone can contribute maximally. In order to be a great leader, you must have the following qualities: a positive attitude, humility, determination, and the ability to communicate effectively. As long as you exhibit these critical attitudes to complement leadership qualities, you are on the right track to being a successful leader. The essentials of a leadership attitude for successful managers include:

            Confidence

            Developing confidence is a critical component of having a leadership attitude. Leaders must be able to trust their instincts and have the conviction to take risks; to do so, confidence is essential. They need to believe in themselves and their ability to lead others. Having confidence in your ability to achieve things and give your best efforts for projects is critical for managers who grow into effective leaders. A lack of confidence can often stem from self-doubt or fear of failure, which will prevent leaders from taking advantage of opportunities that come their way. To overcome this obstacle, managers need to develop a strong work ethic and maintain focus on their goals no matter what challenges arise at work.

            Enthusiasm

            A key attribute of great leaders is their sense of enthusiasm. Leaders who are enthusiastic about their work and the challenges ahead bring positive energy to team meetings and motivate others to do their best. They understand that a successful project or organization is built on teamwork, so they always look for ways to improve communication and cooperation among team members. Having a positive attitude doesn’t mean you have to be the life of the party; it simply means that you approach every task with the eagerness and determination necessary for success. When people see leaders in this light, they become more motivated to achieve goals. Their attitude towards work can help their teammates become more enthusiastic as well.

            Self-awareness

            A critical attribute of effective leaders is their ability to be self-aware. Leaders need to know their strengths and weaknesses and the areas in which they can improve. They should also know the emotions affecting decision-making, communication, and leadership skills. Self-awareness allows leaders to understand better how others perceive their actions and words. When a leader can take these proactive steps towards improving their skills, it sets an example for team members who may feel discouraged or unsure about their abilities. By demonstrating willingness and readiness to learn from mistakes, leaders create an environment of trust and respect. This sense of collaboration allows teams to reach their full potential.

            Developing eustress

            Some people are naturally more upbeat than others. However, even the most enthusiastic leaders can benefit from developing eustress. Eustress is a state of heightened arousal that stimulates creativity, productivity, and problem-solving ability. To succeed in leadership roles, it’s crucial to understand your emotional limits and take steps to ensure they are protected. This type of attitude will help you grow professionally and personally as a leader. If you can look for positives amidst the chaos, you will always find opportunities and lead your team to success. 

            Taking risks

            When it comes to taking risks, leaders face a unique challenge. They need to be willing to take on new challenges and initiatives, but they also need to be careful not to put their teams at risk. Leaders must maintain a balance between risking everything and playing it safe. The key is being open-minded about potential dangers and ensuring that your team knows what you’re doing – even if you don’t share all the details with them immediately. A risk appetite is essential for managers who are aiming to become successful leaders because they need to rise a step above the rest. Along with this, you need to be open to innovative ideas and encourage your team members to try new things and take risks as well.

            Compassion

            Being compassionate is essential for managers who wish to succeed as leaders. Essentially, being a sympathetic manager helps you connect with your team better. When you display Compassion, it sends a message to your team that you understand their challenges and are willing to help them out. When it comes to leadership, having a compassionate attitude is critical because it helps you connect with the people under your command. It allows you to provide them with the support they need to succeed.
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            Why is personal attitude important for successful leadership?

            A person’s attitude is one of the most critical factors that affect their ability to be successful as a leader. The leadership attitude encourages people to work hard and achieve their goals, while a negative attitude will lead to frustration, anger and, ultimately, quitting. When leaders have an upbeat attitude, it creates an environment of trust and respect, which allows teams to reach their potential. Furthermore, a positive personal attitude helps leaders take risks without fear of failure. Hesitant or fearful leaders tend not to make decisions or take action on behalf of their team members because they don’t think they can succeed. A positive attitude helps leaders take risks because they trust themselves and their abilities.

            How can you cultivate a positive personal attitude?

            There are several things that leaders can do to develop a positive personal attitude. First, they must set goals for themselves and strive for excellence in everything they do. Leaders with high standards will be more likely to succeed than those who don’t set any standards or try to lower them as soon as things get tough. Second, leaders should maintain good health – both mental and physical. It means that while you should strive for a healthy work-life balance that allows you to focus on your personal life, you should also ensure that you practice a healthy mindset by adopting forgiveness. Leaders who are physically and mentally fit have more energy to focus on their goals and work towards positive results. Leadership attitude cannot be maintained easily if the managers are unhealthy. Finally, leaders should surround themselves with positive people who will encourage them in their efforts. When supportive people cover leaders, they are more likely to maintain a positive attitude and succeed. Hence, leaders should build an environment that is open and conducive to growth. 

            Conclusion

            A leadership attitude is essential for any leader, whether in the corporate world, academia or your personal life. Understanding the different facets of a leadership attitude and how to develop it can help your team achieve their goals and exceed expectations. While it is not an overnight process, you can lead a successful team with the right attitude and effort. So what are you waiting for? Start developing that leadership attitude today!

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            Why should you look for external feedback for your teams?

            Why should you look for external feedback for your teams?

            Employees are the backbone of any organization and must be kept happy and motivated. But keeping employees content can be daunting, especially if your team isn’t regularly given feedback that is relevant to their work. That’s where external feedback comes in—a powerful tool that can help keep your employees on track and improve their performance. But how do you ensure you get the most out of your efforts? You typically look for feedback from the employees themselves, right? However, there’s much more that you can do! Such as looking for external feedback. Read on to find out.
            Table of Contents

            What is external feedback?

            The importance of feedback for managers and leaders is well recognized. Providing feedback brings multiple benefits for both teams and managers. While internal feedback loops offer plenty of insights that managers can use to overcome typical team challenges, they might need to pay more attention to some issues. External feedback helps identify the gaps that internal feedback might miss for several reasons. External feedback simply refers to feedback that comes from outside your team. It can include feedback from peers who are not a part of your team, your coaches and mentors, or people you interact with in the course of work who do not belong to your organization. It typically focuses on your performance and problem-solving abilities. External feedback from a coach can help you draw an objective picture of your performance and reinforce improvements as and when needed. External feedback covers the same areas as internal feedback. However, it can provide some additional benefits too. In the next section, we will understand the importance of seeking external feedback for managers and leaders.

            The importance of external feedback

            The importance of feedback cannot be overstated. Even though many teams know the importance of feedback, they might fail to use it effectively. The inability of a manager to provide or receive feedback severely hurts their teams’ prospects. External input helps teams identify gaps in knowledge and skills, which you can address through training or mentorship programs. It allows you to maintain objectivity while providing valuable information. Building a culture of feedback is also essential for team success, so start today and gain these benefits from external feedback:
            • Get a different perspective on viewing the same problem. An altogether different perspective might help you chart better solutions that are simpler and easier to implement.
            • Take the opinions of experts who have provided solutions too. External feedback from coaches and mentors who are extensively engaged with you or your team will help you find better solutions. They will also help you develop solutions and provide inputs for the same.
            • You can keep learning continuously with the help of external feedback. An attitude of continuous learning is essential for managers and leaders who want to achieve more constantly.
            • External feedback is vital because of its key feature: freedom from biases. The external observer will generally be free from biases that affect performance reviews given by managers, such as the idiosyncratic rater bias. It will help you get objective feedback about every aspect of your team.
            • At times, team members can hide in plain sight. They might do the bare minimum and end up isolated otherwise. Managers can fail to identify such cases once they become routine. But an external reviewer can see those with much more clarity and point out team members who may be disengaging from work, helping you reduce attrition.

            How to get the most out of external feedback for your team?

            Getting external feedback for your team is essential for their development. By looking for ways to get external feedback, you will improve the quality of your work and create a more positive environment. There are various ways to get external feedback — through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and more. The best way to choose the suitable method is to identify the need and purpose of the feedback. Additionally, ensure you are comfortable with the people you will be working with and trust their judgement. Once you have identified the right methods and individuals, begin the process of gathering feedback. It may take some time, but the benefits will be worth it in the end. Making the most of feedback is just as important as getting it. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind to generate feedback that helps you improve substantially:

             Ask the right questions

            Feedback begins with questions. While it is the answers that reveal mysteries, the questions prompt them. Therefore, giving ample attention to the questions you will be asking in the external feedback is important. If you are going to have an external feedback survey, you will have to ensure that the questions are comprehensible and engaging for all observers. Otherwise, their attention may wander, reducing the quality of the review. On the other hand, if you seek a review from a leadership coach or mentor, you can ask more detailed questions. They can provide detailed performance reviews and curated suggestions for individuals too. All in all, remember that the questions you ask can generate satisfactory answers to the questions in your mind. In doing so, emphasize honest answers.
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            Choose the right person to seek feedback from

            The most critical aspect of gathering feedback is the person who provides it. It’s crucial to choose someone who you trust and respect. However, this doesn’t mean you should automatically pick a close friend or family member. Instead, go for individuals with different points of view, as this will give an accurate picture of any issues at hand. You need to be comfortable accepting your flaws and weaknesses in front of them if you are seeking close guidance. Additionally, ensure that the individual has enough experience to offer sound judgment on your work performance. Lastly, ensure they are available when needed; external feedback can be time-consuming and require concentration. Hence, you must choose your coach and build a great rapport with them. If you are looking for external feedback for your entire team, you can also engage the clients you work with. Your clients can offer their opinion on your team’s work and cohesiveness once they have worked with you long enough. They might provide ideas to enhance the efficiency and resilience of your processes.

            Go with a plan

            When gathering feedback, it’s essential to have a plan in mind. Too often, we jump into the process without clear objectives. It can lead to chaotic and ineffective feedback sessions. Prioritize your goals for the session by outlining what you want to learn or accomplish from the feedback. Once these objectives are set, ensure everyone knows about them and understands why they are important. Write down any questions that might arise during the session to effectively dialogue with your coach or mentor.

            Create a loop to track progress.

            One of the best methods for tracking progress is to create a feedback loop. In a nutshell, this system helps you track your progress and learn from your mistakes objectively and transparently. To create a feedback loop, start by setting up regular feedback sessions. It will need you to collaborate extensively with your leadership coach or mentor over a period so that they can help you identify improvements and pick out areas that have constantly been stagnating. After regular feedback sessions, keep track of the outcomes and learning in a journal or notebook. It will help you track your progress, identify potential problems early on, and devise solutions accordingly. Using this system, you can increase efficiency and improve team cohesion through reliable feedback tailored to each individual’s needs. Managers can furthermore take one-on-one sessions with their teammates to guide them better. In total, it will help foster a conducive atmosphere for continuous learning.

            Finally, act on it!

            The importance of taking feedback is well-recognized. But feedback, whether external or internal, will remain ineffective if it is not put into action. Make sure you take the input and lessons from your feedback sessions seriously and put them into practice as soon as possible. Doing so will help improve your skills exponentially in no time. When you act on ideas generated through external feedback, you will need to engage with your team to get them on the same page. Introducing changes becomes more accessible when the whole team understands their rationale and acts with a collaborative spirit. Hence, once you have collected external feedback, it is time to brainstorm with your team and draw up strategies to improve.

            Conclusion

            External feedback is a necessary process that can help you improve the quality of work performed by your team. You can identify and address issues by getting feedback from outside sources before they become significant problems. However, getting external feedback can be challenging; it takes time, effort, and coordination. Consider all critical areas when achieving the most out of external feedback sessions. Revisit for more helpful lessons on making management and leadership effectiveness.

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            5 Common Team Performance Issues And How To Defeat Them Easily

            5 Common Team Performance Issues And How To Defeat Them Easily

            Employee performance is one of the most important factors in any business, and team management is no exception. With so many things at stake, it’s crucial that managers can identify and address team performance issues as quickly as possible. In this blog post, we’ll list some of the most common employee performance issues managers face. From unsatisfactory work output to clashes among team members, read on to find out how to deal with them.
            Table of Contents

            Common team performance issues

            Team performance issues can be a major headache for any leader. They can affect any team, but they’re most common in organizations with a high number of change and transition employees. Some new issues can arise, particularly in remote and hybrid teams, owing to their nature of networking. Poor communication is one of the leading causes of these issues, and leaders need to manage their emotions to keep their teams functioning smoothly. This often leads to fiscal conservatism, which often leads to micromanagement practices that can negatively impact employee performance. Leaders must be able to identify the root of the issue and take the necessary steps to correct it. To do so, we will begin by understanding managers’ most common team performance issues.

            Ineffective communication across team members

            The absence of proper communication mechanisms is a common issue in many teams. Although communication seems easy enough, it generally is not. When discussing communication, we must ensure robust communication between the teams, their managers, and the teams themselves. Therefore, managers need to focus on building relationships within their teams. They can look at practical team-building activities to get their teams to work together. A lack of effective communication is one of the main causes of team performance issues. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, which in turn can cause team clashes and frustration. Effective communication requires a levelheaded approach that balances the need for information dissemination with the importance of maintaining employee morale. Leaders must understand their employees’ needs and put themselves in their shoes to communicate with them effectively.

            Lack of trust and cohesion among members

            Another familiar team performance issue is a lack of trust and cohesion. It happens when team members don’t feel like they can rely on one another. Trust is important because it allows team members to share information without fearing retaliation or retribution. Building trust within teams is a significant challenge that many managers face because they are unsure of the way to do it. Hence, they end up with teams unable to collaborate effectively and function autonomously. Cohesion, on the other hand, refers to the level of connectedness within the team and its ability to work together harmoniously towards a common goal. When cohesion is low, it can lead to reduced Trust among team members and ultimately disrupt teamwork efforts altogether. Leaders must ensure that their teams have a good sense of Trust and fraternity to function optimally towards shared goals.
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            Absence or abundance of freedom

            Many employees feel a lack of freedom and direction at work, often leading to low morale and poor performance. It can be primarily due to a hierarchical management style where decision-making is centralized. This type of management leaves employees feeling boxed in and unable to take advantage of their full potential. Resultantly, employees lack the habit of taking ownership of their work. As internal accountability is typically low, the team members cannot work as independent units who take responsibility for their work. Instead, they remain dependent on the manager to direct affairs. To combat this problem, encourage employees to take ownership of their work instead of just following orders blindly. Doing so will help them develop a sense of pride and self-confidence in what they do. In addition, team-building exercises can help foster camaraderie within the workforce – essential for positive employee engagement! On the other hand, the opposite problem can exist too. Instead of micromanaging, some managers may not provide any directions at all. Your team performance issues could be due to a lack of proper planning and organizing. Hence, setting smart goals for yourself and your team is important.

            Lack of training required to achieve goals

            Many employees lack the skills and training required to achieve their goals. It leads to a lack of motivation, as they do not see the purpose in what they are doing. Often, this problem can be traced back to poor employee management practices where team members are given unclear or incomplete instructions. Instead of developing individual skills and abilities, team members tend to work on tasks that have already been outlined. As a result, teamwork is hindered because no one dares try anything new for fear of failure at work. Managers must encourage team members to look for innovative ideas to solve problems. Moreover, they should also provide ample resources for employee development. While the employees may have encouragement, they may need more skills to achieve a particular task. In such situations, the managers can help by turning into coaches or providing them otherwise. Investment in their growth will help the employees see that their team values their efforts and cares for them, motivating them to perform better.

            Falling morale and ineffective motivation

            A lack of motivation can be traced back to poor team management practices. Team members are often expected to work enthusiastically day after day. Although great, it is an unrealistic proposition. Multiple reasons – ranging from toxic culture invested in petty office politics to isolation – can force the motivation of an employee to drop. As a result, employee performance issues will arise as they no longer perform their job enthusiastically but do the bare minimum to keep up appearances. In such situations, managers need to look for effective employee motivation techniques. They can also try methods to enhance employee engagement, such as regular one-on-one meetings to understand their perspectives and concerns. You have to work with the employee to resolve the performance issues effectively. Meanwhile, more than a one size fits all motivational technique may be needed. You will need to look for different ways to motivate employees.

            How to overcome common team performance issues?

            A team of good performers will work together seamlessly to complete the tasks assigned to them. However, if there are any issues with teamwork – such as a lack of communication or a lack of Trust – these problems can become more pronounced and difficult to fix. Here are four steps that you can take to overcome team performance issues:

            1) Establish clear leadership and task roles

            It’s essential that everyone on the team knows their role and what is expected from them. It ensures that all tasks get completed efficiently, without any overlap or confusion. Additionally, make sure all team members understand the business goals and objectives. It will help them to understand the reason behind any changes or updates that are made.

            2) Establish clear communication channels

            The key to a successful team is good communication. Everyone on the team should be aware of what’s happening, and they can communicate effectively with one another. Ensure all team members have access to the right communications tools to share all information quickly and efficiently.

            3) Implement regular performance reviews

            Regular performance reviews not only provide feedback about individual work performances, but they also help to identify team issues and problems. This way, everyone on the team knows where they need to improve to achieve success. Criticism without proper context can deteriorate the Trust between team members – which could lead to a total breakdown of teamwork. Instead, be careful about what you say – and make sure that your comments are aimed at helping the individual performer rather than critiquing their work altogether.

            4) Conduct one-on-one meetings

            Performance issues are reflected in the team’s performance but directly affect the employees. YourYour team members will be able to help you identify the reasons and possible solutions to team performance issues when they have a safe space to express themselves. Moreover, they can also highlight any needs or problems arising from the management’s side. Conduct one-on-one sessions regularly with an open mind to grow with your team.

            Conclusion

            Team performance issues are headaches for managers and leaders. While the problem may appear unbreakable initially, there are ways to get through it. In this blog, we have listed the most common team performance issues that managers deal with. We have also listed a few remedies to help teams overcome these employee performance challenges. There are several things that team leaders can do to help their team succeed. By implementing good communication practices, regularly conducting performance reviews, and offering one-on-one meetings, the leader can help ensure that the team successfully achieves its goals.

            Do you have strong communication skills needed to overcome team challenges?
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            FAQs

            How do you resolve team performance issues?

            A manager can effectively resolve team performance issues before they occur is creating robust communication and healthy relationships in teams. Moreover, take steps to curb distractions and stress in the workplace.

            What are the common performance problems encountered by managers?

            The most common team performance issues are underproductivity, lack of trust and cohesion among teams, and frequent conflicts.

            How do managers overcome challenges?

            Managers can overcome team challenges by creating cohesive strategies that bring everyone together. It requires the use of interpersonal skills, time management, and solid goal-setting.

            Guide To Nonverbal Communication For Managers: Types & How To Improve

            Guide To Nonverbal Communication For Managers: Types & How To Improve

            Nonverbal communication is one of the most critical aspects of managing people. This communication occurs outside of verbal communication – things like body language, facial expression, posture, and sound are important elements here. And as a manager, you must understand and use nonverbal communication effectively to build trust and communication with your team. This blog will explore all aspects of nonverbal communication, from its importance to different types of nonverbal communication, and how you can improve your skills in using nonverbal communication in the workplace. So whether you’re a new manager or an experienced one, make sure to pay attention to nonverbal communication at work!
            Table of Contents

            What is nonverbal communication?

            When we talk of communication, we typically think of verbal communication, which is done through the spoken word. However, most of our communication is nonverbal, even in our day-to-day life. Unconsciously, we end up communicating a lot through nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication refers to communication carried out in mediums other than verbal. It includes actions, body language, and gestures to convey various emotions. It also has one’s appearance, posture, and tone of your voice. At work, managers and leaders communicate a lot in meetings and even otherwise. Their eyes, tone, and body movements may be sharing a lot which will help strengthen the message of their verbal communication. Therefore, managers and leaders need to focus on utilizing their nonverbal communication skills in the most effective manner possible. To do so, let us begin by understanding the types of nonverbal communication.

            Different types of nonverbal communication

            There are seven different types of nonverbal communication which include the following –

            Facial expression

            Facial expression is probably the most important nonverbal communication type as it conveys a lot of our emotions and feelings to others, for instance- When someone is mad, their facial expression may show anger, frustration or even sadness which will easily be picked up by others people around them (depending on the context). Depending on what facial expression you are displaying can either help or hinder your message in a meeting or conversation; for instance, if you are angry, your facial expression may tend to overshadow your verbal message.

            Eye contact

            Eye contact is another necessary nonverbal communication type, as it conveys comfort and trustworthiness. When we make eye contact with someone, they know that we are listening to them and are interested in what they have to say. In a meeting, if one or more participants fail to make eye contact throughout the conversation, other attendees can quickly notice this. On the other hand, a participant who constantly avoids eye contact can be seen as reluctant by others, who might find it hard to trust them.

            Gestures

            Gestures are body movements that communicate our emotions and feelings to others. You can use them in many different ways. For example, when we are trying to show anger or frustration, we might clench our fists or raise our voice; or, if we want to convey a message of peace or cooperation, we might make nonverbal signals such as nodding along with the speaker, crossing our arms etc. Gestures are also used for communication within groups. For instance, if one person wants everyone else to stop talking so they can give their speech uninterrupted (using gestures), then they will typically make eye contact with each person throughout the silence and gesture for them to stop talking. They are also good to use when verbal communication might turn ineffective.

            Touch

            Touch is a significant nonverbal communication type as it allows us to express affection, comfort and trust. We often touch others to show love or appreciation. For instance, we shake hands with a lot of people. Those with a firm handshake appear confident and strong. Conversely, people with weak handshakes might perceive that they are softer and less likely to achieve their goals. Touch is also used to convey other emotions; someone might use an unwelcome touch to show superiority and impose authority. Or people can use touch to offer support and connection.

            Space

            The way in which we space ourselves away from others can communicate different things. For instance, if someone feels uncomfortable, they might move closer to the person accompanying them to distance themselves. The amount of space an individual occupies also has implications- for example, people tend to invade personal space more when angry or nervous, meaning there is less room for other people around them. The distance between two people typically indicates the closeness of their relationship.

            Body movements and posture

            The way in which we stand, the way that our whole body is positioned, and the facial expressions that we make all have an effect on how others perceive us. For instance, if someone feels shy or insecure, they might adopt a defensive posture- arms crossed over their chest, head lowered etc.- to protect themselves from verbal or physical contact. Conversely, confident and self-assured people tend to stand with their heads up, signalling dominance over others. Movements that appear confident and sure help you stand out and strengthen your case in a crowd.

            Voice

            You can use our voice’s tone to convey several different messages. For example, if we are angry, our voice might become louder and more intense, while if we are sad or anxious, our voice might sound lower and less confident. How we speak also has implications- for example, people who talk in a loud and assertive manner tend to be perceived as more competent than others, which is why assertive communication is considered essential for managers. Similarly, speaking speed, intonation, and inflections are crucial elements of nonverbal communication.
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            The importance of nonverbal communication in the workplace

            In today’s world, nonverbal communication is more critical than ever. It can help to build trust and credibility, as well as maintain relationships. If you’re unaware of the importance of nonverbal communication in the workplace, it’s time to start paying attention. Here are five reasons why you need to focus on it:
            • It strengthens and delivers your message with clarity.
            • Nonverbal communication helps others identify your message’s important parts and key areas.
            • Managers can use nonverbal communication to show interest, boosting motivation and engagement.
            • It helps build your perception and image.
            • Mastering nonverbal communication helps you become an effective communicator at work and enables you to do your job effectively.

            How to improve your nonverbal communication skills at work?

            Nonverbal communication is one of the most critical aspects of communication. It can help you get along better with co-workers, understand their feelings and needs, and reduce misunderstandings and drama. Here is how you can start working on your nonverbal communication skills at work today –

            Maintain eye contact

            The first step to effectively using nonverbal communication is practising eye contact. Maintaining eye contact helps the other person note that you are engaged and actively interested in what they are saying instead of merely listening passively. It builds a lot in building rapport and enhancing engagement with others, including team members. Smile

            Focus on appearances

            Your posture, body language, and voice are just as important as your eye contact and facial expression. Make sure you focus on appearing confident and at ease. Try to avoid fidgeting or constantly adjusting something on your body – this gives the impression that you are uncomfortable. Moreover, take care of your appearance. It includes dressing smartly and preparing yourself properly before leaving for work. Your attention to personal care and details can help others increase their faith in your ability and desire to maintain a similar level of care towards your work. It boosts their confidence in your work ethic.

            Use powerful gestures while you speak

            When you are speaking, make use of powerful gestures. You can use your hands to demonstrate your points when explaining something. It helps illustrate what you’re saying and will add impact to your voice. Try to occupy space and remain confident with an excellent posture to maintain a confident appearance. Also, try not to rely too much on body language while communicating – a lot of movements can make you look tacky and become counterproductive.

            Maintain facial expressions

            Maintaining the correct facial expressions to convey your emotions regarding a situation or message is important. A smile makes you look friendlier and conveys trust and confidence. When others see that you are happy with what they are saying or doing, it can also boost their faith. In addition, a genuine smile shows that you’re listening and interested in the person talking to you. This is especially important with superiors or people who have authority over us.

            Use your voice to do the job!

            Your voice is one of the most powerful tools you have as a nonverbal communicator. When you speak, use clear and concise language to communicate your message. Avoid using slang or colloquial expressions; they can be difficult for others to understand and damage your credibility. Speak at a consistent volume so that everyone in the vicinity knows precisely what you are saying. Inject enthusiasm into your voice when discussing something that makes you happy – this will come across as positive and attractive to others. Additionally, minimize the use of inflexion so that you appear sure of your ideas. It helps others put their faith in you too. Also check out the body language mistakes that every manager should avoid.

            Conclusion

            Nonverbal communication is one of the essential skills you can develop to improve your career. Understanding different types of nonverbal communication and how to use them effectively can build trust and rapport with your co-workers. In addition, improving your nonverbal communication skills can help you handle difficult situations calmly and assertively. So what are you waiting for? Start learning about nonverbal communication today and see its positive impact on your career!

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            FAQs

            How much communication is nonverbal at work?

            While it may come as a surprise, various studies show that most workplace communication is nonverbal, with some citing numbers as high as 93%, leaving only 7% of the job to be done by words. Nonverbal communication constantly happens in tandem with verbal.

            What is nonverbal communication kinesics?

            Kinesics refers to the interpretation of body language and gestures. Your eye and hand movements, posture, facial expressions and gestures come under kinesics.

            How can nonverbal communication affect your work environment?

            Nonverbal communication goes on constantly at work and thus creates many subtle impacts. Teams showing healthy signs through nonverbal communication, such as trust and openness, can cultivate a good environment. On the other hand, nonverbal cues can often reveal hidden tensions and conflicts in the team.

            How effective is nonverbal communication?

            According to various research, nonverbal communication carries more impact than verbal communication as it is generally more intuitive and automatic. Some studies show a higher efficiency of 65-90%.

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            5 Interesting Types Of Leadership Coaching For Emerging Managers

            5 Interesting Types Of Leadership Coaching For Emerging Managers

            A healthy leader leads a healthy team. That’s why it’s important for new leaders and managers to take the time to get coaching – it can help them grow in their role and develop the skills they need to be successful. But which types of leadership coaching are fit for them? This blog provides an overview of the different kinds of coaching that are available and outlines the key characteristics of each. By understanding which of the types of leadership coaching best suits your needs, you can start working towards becoming a more decisive leader today!
            Table of Contents

            The 5 Types of Leadership Coaching

            Leadership coaching is a program to enable the career growth of managers and leaders. It focuses on developing the skills needed for adequately carrying out the duties associated with a leadership role. It includes skills like assertive communication, conflict management, and people management. In leadership coaching, managers and leaders turn into students. They typically work with a leadership coach. A leadership coach is an experienced individual who helps them maximize performance in their role by highlighting challenges and guiding solutions through their insights and knowledge. It is also helpful for managers to get feedback on their habits and methods and update their technical expertise in the scope of people management. Such expert-guided growth is considered one of the best ways of leadership development worldwide. Leadership coaching comes in many forms. In this blog, we will understand the five main types of leadership coaching so that you know them all before you choose for yourself. So, let’s begin.

            Targeted behavioral coaching

            The purpose of this type of coaching is to help individuals change specific behaviors for them to achieve desirable outcomes at work. This may include changing employee attitudes and productivity, improving team performance, or increasing customer satisfaction. It focuses on specific aspects that might hamper a leader’s productivity and mold them to generate better results. Behavioral coaching typically takes two forms: problem-solving coaching and skill development coaching.
            • Problem-solving coaching focuses on helping the individual identify the problem and develop a plan of action to address it. It often includes giving feedback on how well the plan has worked so far and providing support along the way. It is useful when the individual has realized the inefficiency but cannot identify a particular reason for it.
            • Skill development coaching helps employees learn new skills or improve the ones they already have. It can cover various topics, from interpersonal communication to leadership principles. This is useful when the individual is looking to grow or move into new roles.

            Team/group coaching

            As the name suggests, team coaching is organized for groups and teams. One coach deals with and offers training to several managers who may or may not be at similar levels. Organizations generally involve undertaking team coaching to help their managers overcome the common challenges associated with their jobs, such as inefficiency in communication, absence of feedback, etc., that hinder the achievement of organizational goals. Team coaching typically takes one of two forms: participative coaching and reflective coaching.
            • Participative coaching involves taking the lead role in the group. While reflecting, the coach listens attentively and offers prompts for group members to share their thoughts. It allows more consensus-building among team members, enabling them to reach common goals more quickly.
            • Reflective coaching, on the other hand, involves members of the team taking turns being thoughtful coaches. It allows everyone to share their thoughts and ideas freely without feeling pressured.

            One-on-one coaching

            One-on-one coaching is more personal and targeted. The coach meets with the individual to discuss their goals and how they can help them achieve them. This type of coaching is ideal for individuals who want personalized assistance in reaching their professional goals. Due to its nature, this type of coaching allows the leadership coach to focus solely on one learner. As a result, they can get customized advice, insights, and learning that actually helps them solve their challenges instead of addressing general issues. One-on-one coaching provided by organizations generally focuses on helping managers improve in skills and areas that will help them realize organizational goals easily. It is a critical part of many teams’ human resource development initiatives. However, one-on-one coaching can pose several difficulties for learners. First, they must build a rapport with the coach to complete the coaching effectively. Without a connection or a mismatch of core values, they will be unable to take complete advantage of the coach’s presence. Moreover, they might hesitate to open up and, thus, remain unable to discuss their specific challenges.

            Executive Coaching

            Executive coaching differs from one-on-one coaching because it focuses on developing leadership skills and abilities. This type of coaching is directed at individuals with experience in management and leadership positions. Therefore, executive coaching focuses on those leaders who hold the potential to grow more and can help their teams achieve success. It is one of the most popular modes of leadership development adopted by organizations worldwide for developing in-house talent. It assists leaders in overcoming challenges, building new and old skills, and starting healthy habits for development. They encompass both the hard and soft skills of a manager. Executive coaches are typically experienced professionals matched with the manager based on compatibility.

            Technology enabled coaching

            Technology-enabled coaching differs from executive coaching because it does not require as many resources. It can be used by anyone, regardless of their skills and knowledge. This type of coaching focuses on using technology for development purposes such as training and development, team collaboration, communication, and performance improvement. Technology enables coaches to provide tailored programs to improve critical areas such as leadership skillset or work-life balance. They often use video conferencing tools so participants can feel more connected with one another while taking part in the program. Experts with relevant knowledge and experience typically prepare the material. It can be presented in many ways, such as booklets, toolkits, and quizzes. Most technology-enabled coaches offer a flexible payment plan, enabling individuals and organizations to adopt them without incurring high costs. The customizations available in technology-enhanced leadership coaching programs make them an excellent pick for managers and leaders.
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            Which type of leadership coaching is right for you?

            Leadership coaching is a valuable and life-changing tool to help you achieve your goals and dreams. However, choosing the right type of coaching can be daunting. Luckily, the five types of leadership coaching available have different benefits. Once you’ve understood the types of leadership coaching best for you, you must research the various providers to find one that fits your needs perfectly. Make sure to keep a few key features in mind, including:

            Customized and match

            Suitable leadership coaching should help you find solutions for your challenges. A typical problem with many leadership coaching is that they are not designed for anyone. They are intended for everyone. As a result, they focus on general ideas but do not give due attention to the specific challenges of the individual. This mismatch between what the manager is learning and what the manager needs reduces the effectiveness of leadership coaching to a great extent. Hence it would help if you looked for a medium that can match and keep up with your needs.

            Real-time support and retention

            Leadership coaching should be a two-way street in which the coach provides real-time feedback and support to the manager. An ineffective leadership coaching program will not help you achieve your goals, as it does not offer any guidance or direction. You should look for a leadership coaching program that creates a long-lasting impact so that the learning is retained and not forgotten once the sessions end. Additionally, real-time support for actual challenges through feedback and progress tracking would greatly benefit. Without real-time support and retention, even effective leadership coaching can fail.

            Little cost and time required

            One of the most important things to consider while choosing leadership coaching is its cost and time. There are many leadership coaches available in different prices range. However, you need to check whether the program offered by your potential coach falls within your budget and timeline requirements. Most of these coaching programs come with a one-time fee that can be recurring depending on your needs. Similarly, they are generally time-consuming long sessions. These reasons can dissuade many managers. Hence, you should look for a solution that can fit your pocket and your schedule without making a lot of mess!

            Nonjudgmental and empathetic

            Coaching is not one-size-fits-all. Leaders vary tremendously in their style and how they like to be led. You should look for a leadership coach who is nonjudgmental, emphatic, and can understand your unique leadership style. Additionally, the coach should also be able to offer constructive feedback that will help you grow as a leader. Moreover, seeking support for personal development is an uneasy topic for many. Thus, the medium of leadership coaching needs to offer empathy and understanding without judging the candidate for their mistakes or learning. A coaching program that does not meet these criteria would ultimately fail and could even backfire on you if applied incorrectly.

            Motivation

            Leadership coaching is all about motivation. However, you cannot expect to be motivated just by paying a coach or going for a leadership development program. Leaders need to feel that the coaching goals are essential and relevant to their day-to-day work environment can only happen when you establish a connection with your coach through honesty and vulnerability. Regular updates, appreciation, and recognition for improvement are essential for motivating learners. Thus, you should look for a leadership coaching tool that also helps you remain consistent and keeps you going even on your bad days.
            Leaders must stay ahead of the curve and keep their teams in line with the latest trends and developments. Tools that help you do just that are essential for all types of leadership coaching programs. This is where Risley comes in as an AI-enabled leadership coaching platform that uses cutting-edge technology to provide optimal learning experiences for managers and leaders alike. Risely comes with all of these features and much more. It allows managers and leaders who pick challenges and design their learning journeys to let them learn at their pace. With small daily efforts, it provides regular nudges, multi-form content, and adequate progress tracking to keep you on track toward your goals.

            Conclusion

            If you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, you’ll need to find the right type of coaching. Thankfully, five different types of leadership coaching can help you reach your goals. Whether you’re seeking personal or team development, our team of experts can help you find the right coaching for you. So why wait? Check our website for more information on leadership coaching and make an informed decision about which types of leadership coaching suit you!

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            FAQs

            What are two types of coaching in leadership?

            Two types of coaching in leadership are directive and non-directive. Directive coaching involves a more structured approach with clear guidance from the coach, while non-directive coaching is more open-ended and focuses on the coachee’s own insights and solutions.

            What is coaching method of leadership?

            Coaching as a leadership method involves helping individuals or teams develop their skills and abilities through guidance, feedback, and support. It is a collaborative and empowering approach that emphasizes growth and development rather than control.

            What are the 5 C’s of coaching?

            The 5 C’s of coaching are competence, confidence, connection, character, and contribution. Competence involves developing the necessary skills and knowledge, while confidence focuses on building self-assurance and belief. Connection emphasizes building strong relationships, while character focuses on ethical and moral development. Finally, contribution involves giving back and making a positive impact on others.

            5 Interviewer Skills That Every Manager Needs For Smart Hiring

            5 Interviewer Skills That Every Manager Needs For Smart Hiring

            Interviewing is one of the most essential skills that you need to have if you want to pursue a career in any field. And interviewing skills are particularly important for those seeking employment in the advertising or corporate world. However, many people don’t realize just how vital good interviewing skills are, and as a result, they struggle during interviews. This blog lists five critical skills that interviewers need to possess to succeed. These skills will help you be a better interviewer overall, from building rapport to making notes and scoring. So go ahead – identify the important interviewer skills and see the difference it makes!
            Table of Contents

            Why should you be a good interviewer?

            While talking about being a good candidate, we typically ignore the skills for interviewers. Yet, there are several benefits of being a good interviewer for the manager and their team. A few of them are:
            • You get maximum value out of every conversation. Managers who possess good interviewer skills can access their candidates better through interactions with them. Apart from merely re-learning the information from their CV, you can understand a lot about candidates by analyzing their answers if you have good interviewer skills.
            • Based on the earlier point, you can select the best candidate for your team if you have good interviewer skills. Apart from picking a qualified person for a role, you can understand how well they will fit your team’s culture.
            • When you analyze your candidates appropriately, they are more likely to be good hires who will stay with your team for a long time. The use of the right interviewer skills and techniques lets you become confident in your choice. Then, you can invest your resources in developing a good team member.
            • You will spend less time interviewing candidates when you can analyze the present candidates accurately. You will put your resources to the best use if you focus on getting good candidates who stay with your team longer.

            What are the essential interviewer skills for managers?

            Interviewing can be daunting, but with the right skills for interviewers, it can be a rewarding experience. To be a good interviewer, you need to be patient, listen carefully, and be tactful. By following these tips, you’ll get the most out of your interviews and build a good rapport with your interviewees.

            Discover your biases

            Biases can be thought of as unconscious prejudices that we hold against certain groups or individuals. It is important to identify them so you can unlearn them since this will help us widen our perspective and empathize with others. Biases hamper interviews and performance reviews highly. Typically, our biases affect our perception of people without our knowledge. Once you know your biases, it becomes easier to make an objective decision and choose the right candidate.

            Guiding the conversation

            Listening is an essential skill for any communicator, be it in the corporate world or any other field. By being a good listener, you will be able to get more out of the person speaking and build a better relationship with them. Try to ask questions to help you better understand what they are saying and move the conversation forward. Practice active listening to show that you are engaged with the conversation. Also, add remarks and questions to guide the conversation in a direction that helps you understand the candidate. Finally, use your body language – facial expressions, eye contact, etc.- to show that you are paying attention and interested in what the other person has to say.

            Learn from your mistakes

            There is a good chance that you might have fumbled an interview if you are looking at suggestions on building interviewer skills. Identifying errors is the first step. Next, you have to revisit the previous discussions you took to understand what mistakes you made. Try to keep note of areas that you feel could have been explored or what information about the candidate you were missing. Constantly analyzing your previous interviews and looking for gaps to fill will help you develop the right interviewer skills and techniques.

            Improve your judgment

            When it comes to interviewing, it is essential to have good judgment. This means being able to process information quickly and making sound decisions based on the facts at hand. There are several things you can do to improve your judgment skills. Firstly, practice listening carefully and understanding what the interviewee is saying without interrupting them unnecessarily. Secondly, question them in a way that allows you to understand their position better – this will help get a better picture of the company and its current situation. Finally, remain objective in your analysis.
            Other Interesting Reads

            Building Rapport

            Interviewing for a job is a daunting process for candidates. But with a little bit of know-how, you can build rapport with your candidate to make them comfortable. Ensure that they are at ease. You can start with a few simple questions before moving on to more complex ones that require thinking or might force them outside their comfort zone. You can also add little anecdotes about yourself to build a rapport with the candidate so they can talk freely. All in all, make sure that your candidate is free from mental pressure and does not expect a judgmental attitude.

            Making Notes and Scoring

            Interviewing candidates can be a daunting task, but with a few critical skills, the process will be much smoother. This step is especially critical when you are handling a large number of candidates. Make sure to take notes during the interview so that you can recap and score it later. This will help you get a better idea of what the candidate is like and how you could work together. Otherwise, you might forget some essential bits of information. Asking questions that will help you understand them better will be key to your interview success. Take advantage of opportunities to probe for answers, as this will provide valuable information about a potential hire. And, of course, always aim to be professional and courteous when interviewing. After all, it’s an opportunity to build a trusting relationship with potential employees! Check out more helpful content to nailing interviews:

            Conclusion

            Interviewing skills can make or break your chances of finding the perfect candidate for a job. By paying close attention to these key steps, you can ease the process and build rapport with your potential hire. Remember always to follow these tips to have seamless and productive interviews, which help you build a great team. And finally, always aim to be polite, professional, and understanding to create a positive interviewing experience for both parties!

            Do your listening skills enable you to know your candidates well? Try out the self-assessment to find out.

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            What are the 4 key skills for interviewing?

            Some key skills needed for effective interviews are:
            – Active Listening
            – Clear Communication
            – Presenting Ideas
            – Confidence

            How can I be a good interviewer?

            The key to being a good interviewer lies in creating an enabling and positive atmosphere for the candidate. You should try to make the person comfortable where they can speak freely. It is important to open on a positive note and get the conversation started toward the right direction. Listening properly and asking good questions is critical too.

            What is the ideal interviewer?

            The ideal interviewer is one who can understand the candidate accurately. They are able to actively listen to the answers, and note nonverbal cues as well. In addition, they are good communicators who can take the conversation in the direction it needs. They ensure that the candidates are comfortable and able to express themselves.

            The Top 10 Latest Trends In Leadership In 2022

            The Top 10 Latest Trends In Leadership In 2022

            The year 2022 finally bore witness to a long-awaited event – the return to the office. Covid-19 left an indelible mark on teams nonetheless. In this blog, we will identify the top 10 trends in leadership worldwide which occurred in response to the back-and-forth shift in modes of work. We will see how things happened and what the leadership did as a response to novel challenges. So, let’s begin!
            Table of Contents

            The Top 10 Latest Trends In Leadership In 2022

            Leadership is an ever-evolving field, and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve to be successful. So, what are the latest trends in leadership? Here are 10 of the most popular ones:

            Focus On Building A Culture

            Organizations have understood and agreed in 2022 that the key to winning big lies in robust company culture. It is seen in the recent trends in leadership. Culture’s vital role in facilitating your team’s growth needs no repetition. Cultures hold immense influence on teams. The activity of culture building is a crucial and often challenging one. In comparison to the offline mode of work, the challenges increase substantially when the teams go hybrid or fully remote. Due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, many teams have had to reimagine and recreate their culture. Often, it also brought forth the weak aspects that critically affected outcomes. In recent months, as the situation has become routine, many companies are returning to traditional office spaces. However, many managers were in for a shock when they learnt that their culture may not have survived the upheaval. Moreover, as work is turning to remote with a focus on DEI, many teams will need to rethink several parts of their cultures. By smartly building a culture that centers around your core ethos, you can bring your team’s vision to reality.

            Welcoming And Responding To Change

            The past few years brought many changes, including the shift in traditional brick-and-mortar office spaces that leadership had to deal swiftly with. Moreover, with the addition of Gen-Z to the workforce, there are significant changes in the attitude towards work. As the leaders now have to manage multi-generational workforces, they may need to rethink their operational style to suit a more fast-paced and advanced cohort. On the other hand, technology is increasingly becoming a part of management operations. It helped streamline processes for managers and also enabled the existence of fully remote teams. With the rapid and continuous influx of change seen in 2022, it is undoubtedly one of the major trends in leadership that teams need to take care of. Remaining agile as a team to adapt to moving situations and practising dynamic leadership is key to overcoming these challenges. It goes in hand with a change in strategies and techniques written in rock to those that mold themselves for the best outcomes.

            Valuing Employee Well-Being

            The shifts over the last couple of years put significant strain on our mental faculties. As a result, mental health issues have risen. Other health issues, exacerbated by an unhealthy lifestyle, have also increased, forcing leaders to take employee well-being seriously. It is not an easy task for leaders to keep up with the changing paradigms of work. And when it comes to employee well-being, this becomes even more challenging. With a shift towards remote working, team members are no longer physically required to be in the office space. It increases work-life balance issues and strains mental health as employees may be facing more pressure from home than before. In order to mitigate any potential adverse effects that may arise from such situations, leadership should prioritize employee satisfaction and development at work through various measures such as flexible work hours, employee resource groups, and wellness programs.
            Other Interesting Reads

            Changing Leadership Styles

            The leadership styles that have been traditionally favored are no longer as effective in the current business landscape. A new, more agile leadership style is needed to consider the ever-changing demands of work according to the trends in leadership. Dynamic leadership involves being able to adjust your approach based on the situation at hand rapidly. It is necessary to adapt to shifts in customer behavior and market conditions. As we move towards a future where teams are increasingly dispersed and specialize in different areas, leaders need to adopt a more flexible leadership style that enables them to work effectively with remote team members across geographical boundaries. Leaders should focus on developing team skills as well as having a clear vision for the team’s goals to work collaboratively and help the team reach its collective objectives. Leadership approaches that diverge from a traditional high-headed mindset, such as servant leadership, are the need of the hour. Leaders need to craft a humane approach that combines empathy with a growth mindset beyond stereotypes. How strong are your core leadership skills? Test now!

            Personal And Professional Development Of Employees

            Employee satisfaction matters the most. The major trends in leadership in 2022 highlight this time and again. A great way to achieve employee satisfaction is an investment in employees’ personal and professional development. Leaders should take the time to get to know their employees and understand the unique ways they approach work. Leaders can also arrange training sessions or workshops specific to the employee’s skills and knowledge to keep them up-to-date on industry changes. Additionally, development programs should foster a sense of belongingness among employees by providing opportunities for socializing and networking with others in similar roles. To ensure that employees are developmentally ready and able to handle new roles, organizations need to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. Many companies have started offering employee resource groups to support team-building activities, mentorship programs, coaching services, and training workshops. These types of programs help employees develop critical skills for professional growth.

            Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

            The trends in leadership seen over the years underscore the need for organizations to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leaders have started working to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees. It means creating an organizational culture that values different perspectives, celebrates inclusiveness, and fosters a sense of community among workers. To achieve these goals, leaders have focused on creating a workplace culture where employees feel safe expressing their opinions; promoting effective communication practices; providing training opportunities, and paying attention to unconscious bias in the workplace. Creating diverse and supportive environments will go a long way in helping employees be developmentally ready for the new roles and challenges that will come their way. Moreover, this becomes important as teams become increasingly diverse with the addition of remote work mode. Over the years, more non-cis-het male leaders are taking up the mantle, and this trend is here to stay.

            Building Ownership In Teams

            Ownership is a key component of developing employees and building independent teams. Leaders who can delegate effectively help employees feel part of the team and develop an increased sense of ownership over their work. While accountability has always been necessary, it has become difficult to measure in hybrid and remote teams. The scope for transparency and open communication has significantly reduced in such mediums. This challenges is quite visible in the trends in leadership. Leaders are using various methods to develop personal accountability in their teams to keep them at the top of the game. Effective delegation can be difficult, but leaders need to provide employees with opportunities for personal growth and professional development to keep them engaged. In recent times, there has been a significant shift in the mindset, wherein leaders are now encouraging employees to take ownership of their work thoroughly. It is also a healthy trend as the gig economy rises, where individual contributors help teams achieve their goals efficiently.

            Measures To Increase Retention

            Retention is essential for any business, and leaders who can retain employees are in a stronger position. Yet, trends like the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting have sent ripples through the leadership. They have affected the trends in leadership too. Resignations peaked around unforeseen numbers towards the end of the previous year. Leaders are looking for intelligent ways to increase retention in the face of novel challenges. Many steps ranging from building motivation via incentives to promoting employee development have become essential for many teams to retain their employees in the longer run. Additionally, teams have redesigned their strategies to allow space for employees to grow in their roles within the company to help retention. Investments aiming to reduce attrition and increase the lifetime value of employees have been a key feature of 2022, which is likely to continue.

            Focus On Leadership Development

            In 2022, leaders have gone back to the classrooms. As the rapid and numerous changes have highlighted the need for an update in leadership styles and techniques, leaders have opted for leadership development coaching and training to improve their jobs. It also helps them overcome several typical leadership challenges. In the face of changes in the mode of work, the need for leadership development has also been highlighted by the need for rebuilding connections at work after the sudden moves. As teams come together again after forced sabbaticals on connectivity, the leaders need to prepare themselves for it. For this purpose, leaders have resorted to multiple channels of growth, including leadership development workshops headed by experts, to self-help material prepared by management gurus. Technology has also made its mark in these trends in leadership through AI-enabled coaching platforms like Risely, which effectively provide real-time support in overcoming your leadership challenges.

            Conclusion

            In 2022, leadership has seen a lot of changes. And in consequence, they have changed a lot too! In this blog, we have noted the top 10 trends in leadership in 2022, which are sure to make a mark even in the upcoming years. Strategies focusing on incentives, employee development, and reducing attrition have all become more popular. We hope that this blog helps you visualize your leadership strategy better so that you take your team to new heights soon.

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            FAQs

            What are the leadership trends for 2023?

            The leadership trends of 2023 focus on developing leaders and managers at professional and personal levels through personalized training. It includes adapting to a changing world dependent on technology and new working methods, such as flexible working arrangements and remote work. Read more.

            What makes a great leader in 2023?

            Great leaders in 2023 focus on growth and development for themselves and their teams. Good leaders in 2023 work on solid communication, building cohesive teams and creating a positive work environment, all of which enhance productivity.

            What are the employee development trends for 2023?

            Employee development is becoming more focused on involving all the stakeholders at all the stages of the development process – right from identifying training needs which focuses more on engaging the team members and aligning their growth plans with those of the team.

            What will future leadership look like?

            Leadership in the near future looks like a humane role where leaders become facilitators of the team’s and employee’s growth. Moving away from tradition, leadership focuses on building relationships, creating trust, and crafting autonomous teams that tackle challenges head-on.

            What is the Coaching Leadership Style? Explained with 5+ Examples

            What is the Coaching Leadership Style? Explained with 5+ Examples

            Leadership is like having a toolbox full of different tools. Each tool has its purpose, and as a leader, it’s crucial to know which one to use. Just like you wouldn’t use a hammer to fix a leaky faucet, you wouldn’t use the same leadership style for every situation. There are three main styles of leadership: authoritarian, democratic, and participative. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s essential to understand which one suits you and your team best. In this blog, we’ll talk about the coaching style of leadership. It’s a bit different from what you might think of as traditional leadership. Instead of just telling people what to do, coaching leaders work closely with their team members. They guide and collaborate with them, almost like a coach on a sports team. We’ll dive into what makes the coaching style unique and explore its benefits and drawbacks. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of whether coaching leadership is right for you and your team. Let’s get started!
            Table of Contents

            What is the Coaching Style of Leadership?

            The coaching leadership style focuses on bringing out the best in employees. The managers and leaders work closely with employees to help them grow in many ways and support their learning and development at work. They help individuals identify weak areas and support their progress as they grow. This is in strike contrast to conventional leadership that establishes a top-down approach. In a significant shift, the coaching style of leadership describes the manager as a facilitator of growth. The leadership style of a coaching manager also expands the scope of a manager’s focus. Instead of merely focusing on their team’s performance, managers also focus on the individuals making up that team. Helping employees grow smartly along with the team is the key to generating productivity with this approach. Moreover, coaching is an essential skill for managers and leaders to carry out their job effectively.
            Read more about leadership styles here: Understand The 7 Different Types Of Leadership Styles With Examples

            What are the advantages of the coaching leadership style?

            • Helps leaders build relationships: The coaching style of leadership brings leaders closer to their team members by providing them ample opportunities to interact on relevant matters for both parties. Regular interaction creates a positive relationship based on trust between the manager and the team members. 
            • Employees feel safe: The coaching leadership style ensures that the employees are aware of the expectations they are supposed to meet. They also receive constant guidance and support from their supervisors. As a result, a psychologically safe environment is created where team members can learn and take ownership of their work. 
            • High-performing teams for managers: By adopting the coaching style of leadership, managers can create high-performing teams attuned to their needs. They are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their teams and guide them to align their growth with that of the team. 

            What are the disadvantages of the coaching leadership style?

            • Takes time and effort from the manager: The major disadvantage of the coaching leadership style is that it requires substantial time and effort from the manager. It takes time for critical strategic tasks for the team and impedes the manager’s personal growth. 
            • Depends on the willingness of team members: The success of coaching also hinges on the ability and desire of the team members to learn. Repeated coaching efforts can sometimes be unsuccessful because the team lacks an attitude of continuous learning and is not open to growth owing to a limiting mindset. 
            • Managers need guidance ability to be effective: Coaching leadership style also requires managers to be able guides. If the managers lack guidance ability, the team can suffer under the coaching leadership style as they would lack clarity of purpose and plan.
            Effective coaching leadership requires managers to be excellent guides, hone communication skills, and have an open mindset that enables learning exchange. 

            Fundamental Principles of Coaching Leadership

            7 Fundamental Principles of Coaching Leadership are:
            • Focus on Development: Prioritize the growth and development of your team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
            • Empowerment and Autonomy: Encourage autonomy and empower team members to make decisions, take ownership of their work, and explore innovative solutions.
            • Active Listening: Practice active listening to fully understand your team members’ perspectives, needs, and aspirations. Show empathy and validate their experiences.
            • Feedback and Support: Provide constructive feedback and support tailored to individual strengths and areas for improvement. Offer guidance and resources to help team members reach their full potential.
            • Collaborative Problem-Solving: Engage in collaborative problem-solving with your team, encouraging open dialogue, brainstorming, and creative thinking to address challenges and achieve goals together.
            • Recognition and Celebration: Recognize and celebrate the achievements and milestones of your team members, reinforcing positive behaviors and fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition.
            • Continuous Improvement: Foster a mindset of constant improvement, both individually and collectively, by encouraging reflection, learning from mistakes, and embracing opportunities for growth and development.

            What are the Characteristics of Coaching Leadership Style?

            Coaching style leadership is a style of leadership that emphasizes the importance of service to others and focuses on developing people rather than taking credit for their successes. This leadership style often results in high team morale and productivity because it builds trust between leaders and their team members. The common features of the coaching leadership style include the following:

            Helping members achieve their goals

            Collaborating to achieve rapid progress is a major feature of the coaching style of leadership. Leaders and managers who double as coaches for their team members work with their team members to help them improve. It includes planning and developing strategies to grow in specific areas that help the employees. These partnerships enable managers to build close relationships with their team too. The atmosphere of mutual respect and trust makes work conducive for all. In totality, the coaching relationship creates benefits for the workplace too. Read more: Collaborative goal-setting: How to achieve team success?

            Emphasis on feedback and asking questions

            Giving feedback is a key part of coaching style leadership. Feedback is essential for growth and development but must be effective to achieve the desired results. Effective feedback starts with listening attentively to what team members have to say. It should also be specific, helpful, and timely so that team members can improve their skills quickly. Finally, leaders must use feedback positively to help employees grow rather than dwelling on past mistakes or failures. Hence, constructive feedback and asking the right questions are essential features of this style.

            Employee development

            Coaching style leadership emphasizes employee development. This means that leaders and managers provide feedback and help team members grow in their skills so they can succeed on the job. They do this by providing training, coaching, and mentoring opportunities. Leaders should ensure that employees have access to these resources to continue growing into effective professionals. Employee development also includes providing motivation and inspiration in low times so that employees look forward to achieving more with their teams. Read more about employee development and its benefits.

            Higher retention

            Another key benefit of coaching style leadership is its impact on employee retention. It is because leaders and managers who focus on growth and development help employees see the value in their work, which leads to increased job satisfaction and motivation. In addition, leaders who provide feedback that focuses on skills rather than mistakes encourage team members to keep trying new things – even when initially unsuccessful. This strengthens teamwork morale and can lead to the long-term retention of talented employees.
            Other Interesting Reads

            Examples of Coaching Leadership in Action

            Coaching leadership is an approach that involves providing guidance and feedback along the way to help team members grow and succeed. It can be done in a variety of ways, with different results. Several famous leaders have effectively used the coaching leadership style to generate great results with their teams. The COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, is famously known for her engaging leadership style. While upholding great standards for her team members, she sets a standard for other managers and leaders. Along with identifying the needs of her team and providing for them, she focused on motivating them through regular feedback, recognition, and appreciation. Her efforts significantly contributed to building standards and a reputation for the team. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, presents another great example of a leader using the coaching style. He inherited a stagnating organization but managed to drive a turnaround by closely engaging with his team. He developed the organization by focusing on its constituents – the people that make Microsoft. By emphasizing developing a growth mindset in his team, he started providing support and feedback as needed. Resultantly, his team brought a significant shift in the culture. Here are some more ways the coaching leadership style works in action:
            • Developmental Conversations: A coaching leader engages in one-on-one conversations with team members to identify their strengths, areas for improvement, and career aspirations. They provide constructive feedback and work together to create personalized development plans to enhance skills and achieve professional goals.
            • Empowering Decision-Making: Instead of micromanaging, a coaching leader empowers their team members to make decisions independently. They offer guidance and support, encouraging employees to take ownership of their choices and learn from the outcomes, even if mistakes occur.
            • Skill Building Workshops: A coaching leader organizes skill-building workshops and training sessions to enhance the capabilities of their team members. They may bring in external experts or use internal resources to provide learning opportunities, tailored to individual needs and interests.
            • Performance Coaching: When team members face challenges or encounter obstacles, a coaching leader steps in to provide support and guidance. They help employees analyze the situation, identify potential solutions, and work together to create action plans for improvement.

            Why Should you Adopt the Coaching Leadership Style?

            The coaching leadership style has several advantages. It can bring positive impacts for both teams and their managers. Managers who adopt the coaching style of leadership witness higher productivity in their teams. Managers do this by working on the employees individually. When you help them grow their skills, they can carry out their jobs effectively. Moreover, the relationships built in the process of choosing are a significant motivator to stay loyal and give their best at work. On the other hand, the manager can learn a lot by turning into a coach. By adopting this role, they can refine their knowledge. Mutual respect and trust are built with the team member. Working with the team closely provides ample opportunities to build long-lasting relationships that enhance retention and the lifetime value of employment relationships.
            With a view toward the future, the coaching leadership style is a great way to foster collaboration and help the teams grow together! You can read more about the importance of coaching skills for managers here.

            How Can You be a Coaching Leader?

            While the task of coaching seems easy enough, it isn’t! Being a good coach will need much more than merely being a good manager. First and foremost, coaching leaders must have a good understanding of themselves. They need to be self-aware so that they can understand their strengths and weaknesses as well as the needs of their team members. To effectively coach others, they also need emotional intelligence – which means being able to control emotions in personal and professional settings. Finally, coaching leaders must be effective communicators; they need to know how to present information in an organized way and deliver messages that motivate people. The best way to be a coaching leader is by first understanding the qualities and skills needed for this leadership style. You must have an open mind, good communication skills, and patience. Additionally, you should also be able to understand how people work and what motivates them. It is important to focus on individual growth rather than just team growth, not to create division within your team. You can read more about the essential coaching skills of a leader here.

            Conclusion

            As you can see, the coaching leadership style has many features that make it effective in leading teams and groups. By understanding these features, you can better understand how to use the coaching leadership style in your own business or organization. In addition, check out the examples of coaching leadership in action to get a better sense of how you can apply it to your situation.

            Deeksha Sharma

            Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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            FAQs

            Which coaching quality makes a good leader?

            The coaching leadership style enables leaders to create wholesome relationships with their team members that focus on their professional growth and development. The ability to provide guidance and build emotional connections makes them good leaders.

            Is coaching leadership style the best leadership practice?

            The coaching leadership style is one of the best ways to guide and motivate team members. This style helps them create results through close relationships with the employees and teaches them the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to perform well.

            What is a coaching leadership style example?

            An example of the coaching leadership style is a leader guiding their new team member through regular tasks. They engage closely with the members, answer their questions, resolve queries, suggest improvements, and define milestones for them. Famous leaders like Satya Nadella follow this process.

            What is the role of coaching in leadership?

            Coaching enhances the leadership skills of a manager. It helps them build resilient and close-knitted teams that excel at their work. Collaboration is typically high among the manager and their team members. The managers can identify the motivators and goals of team members to drive their performance well.

            Systems Thinking In Management: Why And How To Adopt

            Systems Thinking In Management: Why And How To Adopt

            The way managers think is of massive consequence. After all, their thoughts turn into actions that take teams forward. While the importance of critical thinking and analytical thinking for managers needs no repetition, several mental models can significantly help managers and leaders at work. In this blog post, we’ll introduce systems thinking and explain why managers should adopt the approach at work. We’ll also provide an example of systems thinking in action and show you how to use the system modeling approach to manage your team effectively. So take a look, and let systems thinking help you manage complex systems at work in a way that benefits everyone involved!
            Table of Contents

            What Is Systems Thinking?

            The systems thinking leadership institute defines it as a management discipline that concerns an understanding of a system by examining the linkages and interactions between the components that comprise the entirety of that defined system. It is not merely about the tools or techniques but an underlying philosophy emphasizing the interconnectedness of the world we work in. It helps us visualize the interconnections of disparate entities. It helps in drawing the big picture – with complete analysis and understanding of the design of the structure and flow of the organization as composed of many interconnected sub-systems. That sounds complex! In simple words, systems thinking is a way of looking at problems and developing more efficient solutions. It can help managers identify causes and patterns, thereby making decisions faster and with less error. Implementing this way of thinking in your workplace will help you achieve goals, facilitate smoother communication, and enable innovative problem-solving and decision-making.

            What is an Example of Systems Thinking?

            At work, systems thinking is critical to making informed decisions and problem-solving. By breaking down an entire system, or organization, into its parts, it allows managers to understand the dynamics of the system and its interactions. This process can help managers make better decisions and solve problems more efficiently. In fact, by using systems thinking in the workplace, managers can help their team become more effective and efficient. A great example of systems thinking comes from the search engine giant Google. As their company grew from two people to thousands, they began seeing the whole world as a part of their ecosystem. With this vision, their investments crossed the scope of people and began to cover renewable energy. As a significant consumer of energy, google identified it as a part of their system and created connections back to it. This move helps them in many ways, it improves their brand equity and creates a better world for everyone to inhabit – leading to a win-win situation!
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            Why Do We Need Systems Thinking In Our Work?

            As we have understood so far, systems thinking helps us visualize complex wholes. Managers are often dealing with multiple challenges, and more often than not, many of them are interrelated. When a manager begins to build solutions piece by piece, they are bound to run into many problems. First, their solutions might be misaligned and counterproductive. It means that solving the first problem will worsen the second, unfortunately. Secondly, it will consume a lot of time and effort. Systems thinking solves both of these issues. Here is why you should use systems thinking in your teams –

            Get the big picture

            First, systems thinking lets managers see the entire problem and its solutions holistically. It allows them to make better decisions quickly. In fact, it is said that a good chunk of business wisdom comes from wholeness analysis – breaking down significant problems into manageable pieces so that we can take action on them. Secondly, when you use systems thinking in your work, you can easily navigate complex challenges. Instead of constantly stumbling around in the dark, using systems thinking will give you a clear map and guide for moving forward. Additionally, this mindset can help you to see potential opportunities even when they are not immediately apparent.

            Save time and effort in solving problems

            Systems thinking helps manage time and resources more effectively. Simply put, by understanding the entire problem, you will be able to see how all of the pieces fit together. Furthermore, because you are using a systems approach, you can develop solutions that take into account other aspects of the problem as well. It is a massive advantage since it prevents wasting time on tasks that are not actually necessary. A systems thinking approach empowers you to envisage robust solutions that solve multiple problems. It is a roadmap to more intelligent decision-making and problem-solving for managers and leaders.

            Minimize second-order impacts

            When you use systems thinking approach to problem-solving, you minimize the chances of creating second-order impacts. In other words, by understanding the big picture and considering all aspects of a situation, you reduce any unintended consequences arising from your actions or decisions. For example, suppose you are trying to decide whether or not to fire someone on your team. When using the systems thinking approach, it is possible to consider all the potential ramifications – good and bad – before making a decision. It will help prevent any negative fallout after firing someone and ensure everyone involved is on the same page. You can stay organized and make better decisions despite distractions by breaking down complex problems into manageable pieces. In addition, by understanding how all elements work together, you can anticipate potential challenges before they occur and plan for possible solutions.

            Build a shared vision

            When everyone on a team works towards the same goal, everything becomes more accessible. By developing and sharing a common vision, teams can work together more effectively and achieve collective success. Using tools of the systems thinking method is a great way to develop shared ideas and roadmaps. It is because each team member understands what they are working towards and knows how their actions contribute to the overall goal. A systems thinking approach can help you clearly understand your company’s mission, goals, and objectives. In addition, by specifying measurable targets, you can ensure that everyone on your team knows exactly what needs to be accomplished for the organization to succeed.

            Tell your story with the system

            When describing your company or product, it is essential to use the system methodology. By creating a model of how the system works, you can provide information that is easy to understand and provides clarity for potential customers and other team members. It will help them make informed decisions about what products they want to buy and keep them up-to-date on changes or new developments in your industry. Using systems thinking techniques throughout your business processes and marketing efforts, you can create a compelling story that binds your team with its plans and strategies. It may be a surprise, but the systems thinking approach is a great way to unify team communication. Lastly, systems thinking is a powerful tool that managers can use to create a better world for everyone. When we work together as system thinkers, we can come up with solutions that benefit more than just ourselves. Systems thinking creates win-win situations where everybody benefits, including the environment and animals!

            How to use systems thinking in your teams?

            There are a few ways that you can use systems thinking in your teams. One way is to identify the different parts of the system and then ask yourself questions about how each part functions. For example, if you’re a salesperson, you might ask yourself questions like:
            • How does my target market behave?
            • What type of objections do my potential customers raise?
            • How can I best reach these buyers with my products or services?
            After you have learned a few basics about your system, you can begin by drawing a causal loop diagram that captures the entirety of your situation. There is no right or wrong way to do this; you just need to focus on the story your diagram depicts. Another tool that you can use is the Archetype. It is used to explain patterns of behavior. For instance, managers can use this tool to classify their team members. Similarly, HR professionals can use it to classify their team members. Managers of sales teams can use it to understand and explain their target audience segments. Once you have begun, you can learn more about the tools and techniques of systems thinking and adapt them to your team’s needs.

            Conclusion

            In today’s fast-paced world, systems thinking is a critical tool that managers can use to keep their businesses running smoothly. By understanding how systems work and interact, managers can identify problems early and take the appropriate steps to fix them. Systems thinking is not a complex process, but it does require some effort on the part of the manager to understand the concepts and apply them in the workplace. If you’re a manager who wants to grow, read our blogs for more information on management and leadership. 

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            FAQs

            What is an example of systems thinking in management?

            An example of systems thinking in management is analyzing the interactions and interdependencies between different departments or teams within a company to identify potential areas for optimization and improvement in the overall workflow and productivity of the organization.

            Why is systems thinking important for leaders?

            Systems thinking is important for leaders because it enables them to view problems and opportunities holistically, identify root causes, and develop effective strategies to optimize complex systems and processes.

            What is the key concept of system thinking?

            The key concept of system thinking is that a system is composed of interrelated and interdependent parts, and understanding the relationships and interactions between these parts is essential for effective problem-solving and decision-making.

            What are the key skills required for system thinking?

            Key skills required for systems thinking include:
            1. Identifying patterns and relationships within complex systems.
            2. Thinking critically and creatively.
            3. Communicating effectively.
            4. Analyzing data.
            5. Recognizing the impact of feedback and delays on the system’s behavior.
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