“They should appreciate that they have a job.”
“I pay them to do that.”
“You don’t need to understand why we’re doing it this way.”
We’ve all heard leaders use these lines and more in the past. This is not the way an accountable leader thinks. The leader that talks like this does not appreciate or truly value the people for whom they are responsible. Is it any surprise that those people do not feel particularly loyal to the leader and to the organization?
Recently the workers of a burrito restaurant in Georgia walked out claiming that they had been working seven days a week for over a month. When times are tough and you go deep into the well of goodwill with your employees, what do you do to show your support and understanding of them, their needs, and their situation?
At another restaurant the accountable leader shared the profits with his team. Those employees repaid that gesture with loyalty and commitment.
The knife cuts in both directions. If you are going to ask your team to step up in the face of a crisis, you, as an accountable leader, had better step up as well, and you had better show your appreciation for the team in both words and actions.
Here are the questions you should be asking and answering to make sure you are connected to, understand, and are serving the people who help you and your organization be a success.
- What is going on in the families of your team members?
- What are their challenges?
- What are their goals?
- How are you working to serve their needs?
- What have you done lately to show appreciation for your people?
- Are you making greater sacrifices than you are asking your people to make?
Take care of your people and they will take care of the organization. Voice and show appreciation constantly. The accountable leader always lets their people know how much they are truly valued.
