Real Leaders Boost Subordinates

Serve Others – Even When You’re the Leader

It’s a given that real leaders boost subordinates.  Most leaders started out as followers. Leadership comes from mastery of a concept or idea and inspiring and motivating others to achieve a common goal.   The best leaders have spent significant time in the trenches and never stop, even after they’re promoted.

Being a leader means more than being the boss. It requires a willingness to take on more responsibilities than the team and to be willing to work just as hard, if not harder. Sadly, leadership can get a bad name if they appear disengaged.

When it comes to boosting employees, it’s important that you don’t forget about them even when you’re the boss.

Four Ways Real Leaders Boost Subordinates

Here are four ways to boost subordinates even when you’re in charge:

1. Give feedback consistently and openly. This is one of the most important things a leader can do for their team. Feedback should be timely, accurate and actionable. If a subordinate isn’t getting feedback, they may not know how to improve their performance.

2. Listen carefully. It can be hard to listen when there are other demands on our time, but it’s crucial that we pay attention to what our team members are saying. Hearing what our employees have to say will help us understand their needs and better plan for the future.

3. Encourage your team members to take risks. Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing something new—even if it’s risky. Giving your team members the freedom to try new things is one way of encouraging innovation and creativity in the workplace.

4. Make sure your policies reflect the values of your company culture and the goals of your team members. Policies that are fair and equitable will help foster a positive work environment for all staff members.

Being a leader means more than being the manager. It requires a willingness to take on more responsibilities than the team and to be willing to work just as hard, if not harder. Sadly, leadership can get a bad name if they appear disengaged.

Managers Can Give Off a Bad Vibe

The imagery of someone sitting at a desk with their feet up while others do the work that they claim for themselves leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The idea is that leaders have paid their dues and don’t have to work hard anymore. Sadly, this is a way that leadership gets a bad name. In addition, some leaders lose touch with what it takes to be on the front lines and diminish or discount the hard work of the people they lead. In both cases, this can cause a rift between leaders and teammates.

train your team to focus and avoid electronics distractions

3 Ways Real Leaders Boost Subordinates

The best leaders have a heart for service and never stop. No matter how high their leadership title, great leaders serve others and seek to better understand the needs of the people they are leading. Here are 3 easy ways real leaders boost subordinates and continue to serve, even when you’re the boss:

Boosting subordinates' efficiency so you don't lose motivation

1.Don’t be afraid to do the work too

2. Seek to determine what others need

3. Ask more questions

1. Delegate, but be sure to do the work too

The best leaders make time to get alongside the people they serve and do the work too. Delegating is an important function of leadership. You can’t lead if you are doing all the work but it’s important to keep morale high and keep your skills polished too. You can do both by working alongside the people you lead and showing them there’s nothing you aren’t too important to do.

Real leaders boost subordinates and keep employees engaged

2, Find out what people need to make things easier

The people you lead have a lot on their plate. They have on and off duty lives too. Keeping your finger on the pulse of what they need offers opportunities for you to serve them and build their trust and respect for you. Great leaders know when their teams need something to make their work easier or to offset troubles they have off the clock. Stay in touch and in tune with your teams and you’ll transform your leadership skills exponentially.

3. Always ask questions

Leaders have to hand down a lot of policies and procedures that their teams have to follow. Whether it’s your family or people you lead for work, asking them questions and getting their input can help everyone feel heard and valued. Sometimes someone you lead might have an idea or a process that is better than the one you came up with. Great leaders include their wealth of resources in their leadership. This includes asking questions of the people they lead, keeping an open mind,- and really listening to feedback.

real leaders boost subordinates by being a better listener

Serving others, even when you’re the leader, is vital. There’s no title too high that excludes someone from service. There are many ways to lead and many ways to serve and the two always go hand in hand.

Even More Ways to Boost Subordinates

Here are four ways real leaders boost subordinates even when you’re in charge:

1. Give feedback consistently and openly

This is one of the most important things a leader can do for their team. Feedback should be timely, accurate and actionable. If a subordinate isn’t getting feedback, they may not know how to improve their performance.

2. Listen carefully

It can be hard to listen when there are other demands on our time, but it’s crucial that we pay attention to what our team members are saying. Hearing what our employees have to say will help us understand their needs and better plan for the future.

3. Encourage your team members to take risks

Mentoring boosts subordinates and trains them to take prudent risks

Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing something new—even if it’s risky. Giving your team members the freedom to try new things is one way of encouraging innovation and creativity in the workplace.

4. Your policies reflect values of your company culture and your team members’ goals

Policies that are fair and equitable will help foster a positive work environment for all staff members.

Conclusion
There are many ways real leaders boost subordinates and continue to grow as a leader. It is critical to continue to develop your skills in this regard. Be open to feedback and and continually work to upgrade your communication and problem-solving abilities. As a leader, you play an important role in the success of your team and organization. By growing and developing your own skills, you can continue to boost employees and help them reach their potential as well.
It is important to find what works best for you and continue to strengthen your skill in nurturing subordinates to improve their engagement and your effectiveness.
Flexicrew Support
If you need assistance finding individuals who possess these leadership qualities, contact one of our recruitment professionals Today.

Flexicrew , founded in 2008, focuses on fast and flexible staffing solutions. Flexicrew uses technology and industry best-practices to deliver the most talented and qualified workers–skilled and entry level to employers within most major industries. Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN with current branches  in the Tennessee, northwest Georgia, Indiana, and north Alabama markets.

 

Does Your Future Employer Share Your Values

Importance of Shared Values in the Workplace

Must a potential employer share your values?

The answer is “Yes.”

Many employees are becoming more selective about job offers, thanks to labor shortages and the increase in hybrid work. If you’re part of the Great Resignation or just considering your options, this may be an ideal time to find an employer share your values.  Even if you’re currently working, it’s important that your employer share your values.

Employer share your values

A cultural fit with your prospective employer has been a standard part of career advice for years.  That’s because satisfaction at work usually means thinking about more than your salary. After all, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled if you support your company’s mission and practices.

In fact. more than 9 out of 10 adults are willing to earn less money in order to do meaningful work, according to a report by Harvard Business Review.

Figure out your priorities and use them to plot your career path including the next position you accept.

How to Identify Your Personal Values:
  1. Be authentic. Work values vary greatly from one individual to another. You might yearn for a chance to travel the world while someone else wants more time at home to devote to their family or hobbies. Listen to your heart instead of trying to conform to external expectations.
  2. Make a list. If you search online for core values, you’ll find lots of tools to help you get started. Pick out the words and phrases that resonate with you.
  3. Create categories. On the other hand, you may feel overwhelmed by too many choices. Sort your priorities into similar groups to help organize the process.
  4. Review your experiences. Take some time to reflect on the kinds of situations that energize or drain you. Previous jobs or volunteer work might give you ideas for what you want out of life.
  5. Imagine your dream job. In the real world, any position has some trade-offs. However, visualizing can help you clarify your goals.
  6. Take some tests. Personality tests can be another resource. Take them online or work with an employment coach who may give you more insights into interpreting the results.
  7. Ask for feedback. Input from family, friends, and coworkers can be valuable. Listen with an open mind to discover issues that you may be overlooking or areas where your choices seem out of alignment with your stated values.
How to Find if an Employer Share Your Values in Your Job Search:

There are really three steps in the process of discovering whether your personal values are consistent with the values of potential employers.  These will be summarized at the end of the article.

1. Do your research

Take a deep look at any prospective employer. Read press releases and blog posts.  Scour news stories to learn about their leadership and community activities. Check websites like Glassdoor to browse through reviews of the new employer from current and former employees.

2. Talk with others

Network to find if potential employer shares your values

Once you’ve gathered some background information, you can reach out to your network contacts and try to find referrals to anyone familiar with the companies that interest you. That way you can ask pertinent questions and confirm your impressions.  That will help avoid wasted time and search effort.

3. Follow social media

Facebook and other platforms let you see what companies say about themselves and the kind of image they want to maintain. You can also gain insights into how they interact with customers and other stakeholders.

4. Broaden your sights

Large firms use PR firms to build a socially responsible image. However, smaller employers can have a positive impact, too. You might find promising opportunities anywhere.

5. Discuss the mission

Use job interviews and other conversations to learn more about a company’s mission statement. Find out how it was developed and how it guides their decision making. For example, how is it communicated to different employees, candidates, suppliers, etc.  And how does it tie into employees’ performance evaluations?

Finding an employer shares your values can take some time and thought. However, the results are worth it. Feeling like you belong can make your work life less stressful and more rewarding.

Less workplace stress if employer shares your values

Flexicrew Support

Check out our previous blog post to learn how we support job searchers. Learn how the Flexicrew team can help you find the ideal employer that matches your values and reaches your goals. Flexicrew supports job seekers looking to match their values

Remember to feel certain that an employer shares your values from the get-go takes 3 steps: First,  understand your own values; second, inquire about the employer’s values in the interview; and third, make a judgement whether  your values match those of the prospective employer.

Why Is Being Productive So Important?

Benefits of Being Productive

You’ve likely been told that being productive is important, but you may not know exactly why.  And the answer honestly isn’t that easy, as being productive can affect different parts of your life.

improve work productivity

 You Manage Your Time More Effectively

One thing that productivity does is it allows you to have more control over your life. This way you will have time to do all the activities which truly make you happy while still balancing work life. Not only that, but you won’t ever feel like you’re wasting your time either. And who knows, you might finally have time to try that one thing that has always been on your bucket list.

It Keeps Your Mind Active

As you grow older, according to scientists at Harvard Health, it’s just as important to keep your mind active as it is to keep your body healthy. This is because your mind starts to deteriorate if you don’t constantly keep working and learning new things.

And a deteriorating mind can lead to a group of other problems and diseases, which could lead to an early death. Therefore, focusing on being productive not only keeps your mind engaged but also keeps it active and functioning for years to come—all while you are accomplishing the things you aspire to achieve.

Your Quality Of Life Increases

In this world, everyone knows time is money. So, when you have more time, you’ll likely have more money as well. Just look at some of the most famous CEOs and their productivity levels, and all the fun they get to have.

Honestly, they live a pretty high-quality life no matter how you look at it. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll make more money by being productive, but it could mean you’ll finally have time to start that side business you always wanted to.

It’s The Key To Satisfaction

Money can’t buy happiness, but being productive can. The Anxiety and Depression Association for America has found numerous studies that conclude some people can achieve similar results with medication for their depression by increasing productivity only.

Of course, this doesn’t work for everyone, but productivity boosts your mood and motivates you, which will likely increase your outlook on life and emotional health.

FinalPoint

The point is, most people don’t prioritize productivity as they should. Productivity is truly the key to better time management, which has proven to keep your mind healthy and satisfied for years to come.

Ask the Flexpert…Why is Building Resilience Important?

The Importance of Resilience

Resilience generally improves one’s quality of life and their ability to enjoy work even in these uncertain times. The higher your team’s levels of resilience, the better their psychological and physical health will be. Resilient people are less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression and manage most facets of their life more efficiently. This leads to higher levels of employee satisfaction, greater engagement and improved performance.

Characiture of Flexpert

Resilience Fosters Relationships

There is the added benefit of healthier relationships as well. One of the key aspects of resilience is the ability to understand and control one’s emotions, which is going to naturally improve how workers relate to others and thus make their relationships stronger (and healthier).

Essentially, resilience helps people view their situations differently. Most people waste a lot of energy trying to control things that they have no influence over.

Resilience and Persistence

Resilience (some call it ‘grit’) improves peoples’ ability to bounce back from setbacks, challenges and adversity to control what they can, and let go of the rest. And that surely is the current situation all people and certainly that category designated as essential workers, find themselves in with multiple concerns of health, economy,  social unrest and politics at the same time.

Resilience is the basis for overcoming hardship, achieving goals, and being a strong and resourceful worker. The more resilient your employees are, the more they will achieve on the job, in their careers, and in life, period.

Resilience and Employee Values

With resilience, you learn about yourself and your work team and start to get a clearer view of what you and they value – and how that meshes with the company’s values and culture.

Need Assistance Hiring Resilient Workers

If you need some assistance in recruiting and hiring more resilient workers in this uncertain labor market, contact Flexicrew today.

Tips for Keeping Employees Engaged During a Market Downturn

Keeping employees engaged remains a major concern for the organizations and specifically the Human resources (HR) department. Keeping high employee engagement levels remains a challenge for most employers. Surveys have observed that less than half of businesses believe that their employees are engaged in their work, and will make an additional effort to do the work. This indicates that most organizations require a lot of help in this matter. Most businesses think that less than two thirds of their employees are engaged in the work.

employee engagement

The immediate supervisors of the employee and leaders are the major factors affecting employee engagement. Some of the tips for managers which will help in keeping employees even during a downturn are listed below:

1. Employees are Assets
  • Employees should be considered as assets for the organization, not expenses and treated well. The leadership of the organization should be aware that if the employees are fully engaged in the work they do, they will add more value to the work they do. It is advisable to define the roles for each employee, define goals which are linked to the goals of their department, division or the entire company.
2. Employee Appreciation Culture
  • The organization should foster a culture of appreciating employees. The employees should be aware that they make a difference and help the business attain its targets and often exceed them. The employees should be informed about how their behavior is linked to the company goals and values using a strategically designed program for recognizing employee efforts. This program will show how the work done daily by the employee contributes to the achievement of company goals.
3. Employee Recognition
  • Improving performance by recognizing additional effort. If the employee is frequently and consistently recognized for his additional effort in the right way, it will result in a greater boost to the performance of the employee. It is observed that the return on investment (ROI) for a well designed recognition program is usually far more than the annual salary increased. The program rewards should be at least 1% of the payroll of the business. The organizations should reduce their annual increments to the lowest possible and encourage better performance from employees by implementing a suitable recognition program.
4. Open and Honest Communication
  • It is important to have an open and creative discussion with workers either face-to-face or in a group. For this, the supervisor should stop considering his own agenda and expertise and consider his subordinate(s) needs. This can help in increasing the engagement of teams since assumptions are questioned, different opinions are considered and problems are converted into opportunities
Employee Discussion Process

Some important considerations which should be discussed and documented after such discussions focus on the following:

– What are the problems which we are facing in this area?

– What are the reasons why we face these problems?

– What can the employee, team or our organization do to get a better result?

– What is the team or organization doing at present which is causing problems?

– If the problem is resolved, how would conditions improve?

After this, the information provided should be converted into plans which can be implemented.

Increasing the recognition of the employees, being involved with the employees, their problems and offering better opportunities for career growth can help improve employee engagement. Organizations with high engagement levels are more likely to be monitoring the engagement of the employees closely, recognizing better employee performance offering career growth. The workforce will also have leaders and supervisors who improve employee engagement.

Recruiting Engaged Employees

Need assistance recruiting engaged workers, call on Flexicrew or just pick our professionals‘ brain for creative ideas.