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Ask a group full of professionals what they want out of a manager, and chances are you'll hear "someone that cares about me" at least half of the time.
While it seems like an obvious and simple desire, the sad reality is it's a rarity.
According to Gallup, managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement scores across business units, yet only 36% of U.S employees are engaged in their work and workplace.
While employee engagement is undoubtedly a complex topic, engagement improves when managers genuinely caring about the people they lead.
Employee engagement improves when managers genuinely care about the people they lead.
Webster defines caring as "to look after and provide for the needs of." It doesn't take skill to care. All that's required is to have a heart for people and the courage to do what's in their best interest, even when it's not easy.
Megan Witherspoon had a viral post on LinkedIn about remote work that I thought was fantastic. You can see it below:
But it got me thinking, effective leaders do and don't care about many things; what are they? Based on my personal experience, studying over 60,000 managers and coaching leaders at every level here is my list. Let me know in the comments what you would add or subtract:
Often when lists are long, it means the job, role, or task is difficult. Leadership is no different. However, just because leadership is hard doesn't mean you can't be successful, especially if you start the complex topic of being a successful leader through the correct lens. I defined a leader in Building the Best this way,
A leader is someone whose actions inspire, empower, and serve in order to elevate others.
Instead of thinking about leadership as unattainable or something only meant for certain people with unique talents, start thinking that it's for you. The most essential element of leadership isn't talent; it's choosing to lead right from where you are.
The most essential element of leadership isn't talent, it's choosing to lead right from where you are.
Leading from where you are starts with a decision to embrace two primary things:
When you can get in the headspace that you are responsible and are willing to take ownership of things in your sphere of influence, you are leading right from where you are. It's my hope you will not only embrace this challenge but you will invite it into your career. Because if there is one thing I know for certain, we need more people choosing to take responsibility and ownership to lead right where they are.
What did I miss out on? Tell me in the comments.
John is the CEO of LearnLoft, author of, F.M.L. Standing Out & Being a Leader and host of the 'Follow My Lead' Podcast. He writes or has been featured on Inc.com, LinkedIn Pulse, TrainingIndustry.com, eLearningIndustry.com, CNBC Money, and more. John completed his education at the University of Maryland College.
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