…to give gifts. When I was younger, I loved waking up and seeing all the beautiful presents under the tree. The lights on the Christmas tree were glowing and stacked all around were presents for each of us. The wrapping paper and beautiful bows made you eager to see what was inside.
Some leaders present people with the beautiful packaging of a great office, generous compensation and benefits, and all the promises of career advancement. But then reality sets in as a new team member begins and realizes that all is not as shiny as it appeared. Instead, they face conflict within the team, lack of clear goals, and huge demands that soon make them feel overwhelmed.
When asked what makes an ideal supervisor, team members often respond with someone who communicates well, takes an interest in their success, provides growth opportunities, and recognizes their efforts. The good news about this feedback is that any leader can provide these gifts for their team. These do not necessarily cost a lot but do require us to consider how to consistently support each team member.
The best gift under the Christmas tree for your team members is not the bonus you may pay out or the time off, even though they are appreciated. The gift that you can give year-round is supporting them once you know their strengths, needs, and goals. Take time to consider if they need more direction, more mentoring, or more challenge to stretch and grow.
DISC profiles are one great way to understand the abilities, motivators, and strengths of your team members. Further, DISC provides ways to begin critical conversations with your team to ensure good communication and accountability for growth. Using tools such as DISC or providing coaching are great ways to support their success.
Leadership requires being mindful of those we lead. We can adapt our style and approach to them, and make sure they know we are committed to their success. Nothing will attract and retain strong talent unless combined with this commitment. At the end of the day, it truly is the small things that make the biggest difference!
