Successful leaders rely on the talents, abilities and input of their team members. Bosses rely on themselves. Is there a difference – and does it really matter?

When was the last time you had a big decision to make and you involved your team members in helping to make the decision? Did you actually take their advice?

Better leadership means better listening

Many successful people find their way into the retail sales business. They have backgrounds in education, business, finance, and other industries. They’ve been managers and business owners, and they have a wealth of knowledge and ideas. Even those who have not worked anywhere else have much to bring to the table. Yet these assets are often overlooked due to ignorance, neglect and/or fear.

Why don’t leaders listen? A case study

I recently sat in on a “brain storming” session with a major OEM. The meeting included the Vice President of Sales, one of her Regional Directors and a National Manager. At the end of the meeting, the Vice President asked everyone to provide their thoughts on how the meeting went including the good, the not so good and any other ideas.

When it was her turn to address the group, the VP said that she was concerned that she may have taken too much control of the conversation and didn’t allow enough other people to share their ideas. What a concept! This was an example of true leadership!

The Weekly Brainstorm

Regardless of how smart you think you are, you are not the keeper of all knowledge or great ideas. So many things that could help you improve are just waiting to be unleashed from the minds of your people. So take advantage of it by having a weekly brainstorming meeting. Make it an open forum to discuss whatever is on the minds of your team.

To jump-start the discussion, print out one of the many articles on this site and read it aloud to the group. Then think of ways to improve our ideas, or come up with all new strategies that arise from the discussion.

https://www.centerforperformanceimprovement.com/

“People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going faster and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.”

In the book, “Lesson from the Geese” by Dr. Robert McNeish, the author describes how geese honk to encourage the others to keep on flapping their wings. It starts at the back and moves forward to the lead goose who’s “drafting” for all the others.

If a goose is ever injured or needs to fall away from the flock, another goose always goes down with them. He calls these goose honks praise for a job well done and encouragement to keep going.

In today’s world, people face tremendous pressure. People within our business deal with family and financial issues, health issues and even survival issues every day.

The one thing people need is to be told they are doing a good job, making progress or that you value them as an employee.

This is especially true as you move toward changes in your organization.

People will make mistakes and need to be encouraged. In fact, research says that it takes seven positive statements to equal the impact of one negative or critical statement.

Believe it or not, you can add years to a career by simply offering regular words of encouragement.

Learn more: https://www.centerforperformanceimprovement.com/