May FAQ - What Can I Do To Best Help my Team? 4 Things to Help Your TEAM through Challenging Times
May 29 2020
One Friday each month, I dedicate the post to looking at some questions I have heard recently from developing leaders. Sharing those questions and my thoughts about them is a way for me to spread the information to as many leaders and future leaders as possible. If you have a question about leadership or just a situation you would like some additional insight on, please email me at Effective Retail Leader. Let’s take a look at this week’s question.
I want to ensure I am providing the best for my team. What can I do to help them through challenging times?
I believe this question is on the minds of many leaders right now. Trying to help your team navigate through what is still an ever-changing set of circumstances is not easy, but critically important. Most importantly, it is not required that you have all of the answers. Making yourself available, listening, sharing information, and just caring will make a huge difference. If you take a TEAM approach, you will provide what your associates are seeking.
The TEAM approach -
Transparent
Information is usually what most people want to get. People always believe there is more information than is actually available. Share everything you can as soon as you can with your team. Even if the information is not new, share it, reinforce it, and let them know there is nothing new at this time. Information voids are always filled with something. You want it to be your message and factual details and not assumptions and rumors. Be honest with your team, even when the news may not be positive. Transparency builds trust.
Empathetic
Not everyone experiences change, or especially the current COVID-19 crisis the same way. Listening closely to each individual will help provide the levels of empathy needed. Put yourself in their shoes. What are they going through, how might that feel? I have written several articles on the importance of empathy. Empathetic Leadership is Effective Leadership and Fitting Empathy Into Your Leadership Style are two that can help get you started on connecting better through empathy. By understanding what concerns them most you can provide the individualized support they need.
Authentic
Let your team know how you feel, what’s bothering you, and how you’re dealing with it. Be yourself. You will be amazed at the levels of trust and connection this can create with members of your team. This is vulnerability and if transparency builds trust, this strengthens it. People can sense when leaders are putting on a facade. Being authentic allows people to know, see, and feel you care.
Measured
Keep a consistent approach. Manage your approach to situations and potential swings in mood, anxiety, or pace. Balancing this with authenticity will ensure your team feels you are in control and in place where you can help them. Consistency in messaging, both in theme and frequency can assist people in knowing what to expect and provides a level of stability they can count on when other things around them may be changing constantly.
I applaud all leaders who are making their team and the support of them a top priority. It will be our people and the teams we are a part of that will help every business through the coming weeks and months. We can ensure we build an improved foundation for trust, communication, and togetherness that will help us rebuild a stronger future.
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