It is said that actions speak louder than words, but here are some phrases that speak volumes.\u00a0 Forget about whether or not your boss uses these.\u00a0 This is more about you because you can adapt and adopt them at any time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat looks great\u2026 job well done!\u201d<\/strong> Yes, catch someone doing something well and praise them.<\/p>\n \u201cHow am I doing?\u201d<\/strong> Invite people to give you feedback.\u00a0 This is a question I used in every single performance review I ever gave.\u00a0 If you take the answer seriously, you create new channels of communication and respect.<\/p>\n \u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/strong> Contrary to some, admitting mistakes is not sign of weakness, but rather the mark of a secure leader.\u00a0 And I probably don\u2019t have to remind anyone that it works just as well in other relationships.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me about yourself.\u201d<\/strong> Entering any new assignment with your eyes and ears open is wise.\u00a0 Leave your preconceptions at the door.\u00a0 Find out all you can about your customers, associates, suppliers, subordinates, bosses, etc.\u00a0 You may adjust your course once you glean and understand the people and the processes around you.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you think we should do this?\u201d<\/strong> Rather that playing the enabling all-wise Swami in the corner office and dispensing wisdom and decrees, grow people by having them come up with 2-3 recommendations.\u00a0 And you might consider giving people freedom to fail.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll get \u2018em next time!\u201d<\/strong> Show people how to cope with failure and a mature leader does this in a calm, caring manner \u2013 not with blather and bluster.\u00a0 Encourage people to take calculated risks and then see the magic that results.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at the silly thing I did.\u201d<\/strong> Take yourself lightly and bring humor into the world place so lighten up even when you have a serious purpose.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in this together.\u201d<\/strong> Good leaders are able to convince their group that the interests of one are the interests of all and their share the commitment.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have the tools you need to do your job?\u201d<\/strong> This along with \u201cHow can we do better?\u201d are loaded questions, but offer the opportunity to really cement a good working relationship.\u00a0 Don\u2019t ask them if you are not prepared for the feedback.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t one of the main agendas of leadership, however, to provide the tools and resources to the people entrusted to carry out an agenda?<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I will find out and get back to you.\u201d<\/strong> This statement is the epitome of honesty and good communication.\u00a0 Everyone, and I mean everyone, can sense a phony, and few expect anyone to know everything.\u00a0\u00a0 Finding out and following up are what turns someone who doesn\u2019t know into someone who can.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI know we can do it!\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cLet\u2019s be the best team (company, division, etc.) in this company (state, industry, world).\u00a0 Set high goals and expectations that are shared by everyone, and share your optimism.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch me!\u201d<\/strong> People in positions of responsibility are watched like hawks by everyone.\u00a0 The effective ones lead by example, and most people are eager to follow to positive role model and disheartened by a negative one.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will it take to keep this happening again or how can we do better?\u201d<\/strong> Leaders move beyond the blame game and are forward focused to continuous improvement.\u00a0 More importantly, when you ask people for their opinion and it is adopted, they are much more inclined to make it work than supported an edict from above.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your <\/em>idea?\u201d<\/strong> Early on I discovered that the people who perform their tasks have a much better grasp of them than I could ever attain, so why not ask the experts for their opinions?<\/p>\n As I said, words are only the first part, but they are important.\u00a0 You have to follow them up by then \u201cwalking the talk.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"