As an executive, leading a team is one of the hardest parts of the job. In this article, DynaFlex CEO Darren Buddemeyer gives his top tips for how executives can inspire team members to go above and beyond in the office.
1. Let Your Team Exhibit Their Talents
Too often, employees get bogged down in daily responsibilities that may not reflect their true talents. As you get to know your workers, note what excites them. Give them the opportunity to participate in projects that allow them to show off their skills. Doing so is likely to improve project outcomes as well.
2. Allow Your Team to Make Mistakes
No one is perfect. Allow your team to make mistakes, and don’t pressure them to be perfect. They’ll learn on their own and become all the better for it.
3. Be the Leader and Develop Future Leaders
At some point, you’ll step down from your role as a top leader in the organization. Make sure that you’ve taken the time to groom future leaders within your team. Identify the employees who have potential and want to lead, and give them ample opportunities to build up their skills.
4. Provide Opportunities for Team Bonding
Offer opportunities for your team to get to know one another outside of work. Make a habit of scheduling at least one monthly get-together, such as a company lunch or an evening at the bowling alley. Your employees will build stronger relationships, which improves collaboration in the office.
5. Be Accountable for Your Decisions
When you make a mistake, share your errors with your team. People appreciate it when leaders don’t pretend to be infallible. Showing that you’re human, just like them, enhances your relatability.
6. Make Decisions with Authority
Whenever you must make a critical decision, think through several possible outcomes before choosing the right path. When you act objectively rather than emotionally, you reduce the risk of making an ill-informed decision.
7. Develop Your EQ Skills
While being objective is essential, there will also be times when you need to show your emotions and let employees know you understand their situation. Work on developing self-awareness so you can practice empathy when things go wrong. Likewise, focus on building relationships to communicate well with other executives and colleagues.
8. Give Your Team Plenty of Options for Self-Development
High-performing team members often have a thirst for learning. Give them opportunities to improve their skills, whether by offering them special projects to work on or providing a stipend for special classes.
9. Exhibit Flexibility
Good leaders know things don’t always go according to a set plan. Demonstrate a commitment to flexibility and change when obstacles arise. Be willing to collaborate with your team on new ideas.
10. Be a Model of Honesty
Nothing is a bigger turnoff in the workplace than senior leaders who aren’t honest. Keep your team informed of all critical matters in the workplace. If there are roadblocks ahead, don’t sugarcoat the situation. Instead, tell them about your concerns and trust them to handle things capably.
11. Keep an Open-Door Policy
In today’s working environment, executives must be available to their teams. Encourage your workers to drop by when they have questions. The more accessible you are to your team, the better.
12. Praise Your Employees for Their Efforts
Everyone likes to feel appreciated for their hard work. When you witness an employee going above and beyond the call of duty, recognize them for it. You’ll develop a reputation for being an executive who cares about their workers.
About Darren Buddemeyer, the CEO of DynaFlex
As the CEO of DynaFlex, Darren Buddemeyer has learned a thing or two about leading employees. He began his tenure when the company was a very small lab and has led the organization to become a major manufacturer of orthodontic products, orthodontic appliances, and dental sleep medicine devices.
