Engaging Others
We have all been there, we have the perfect solution, the answer to the stressor in our lives, or in others’ lives, but we can’t get anyone to join us in our efforts. Confused, we tell them and tell them the answer, but still no luck. You begin to question your answer, your solutions, and your leadership abilities. The problem isn’t any of these. The challenge, the obstacle you are struggling to overcome, is that no one can see your vision.
People will follow great leaders, they will follow mediocre leaders. But in order to get engagement, true engagement, people need to see, understand, and buy into your vision. In other words, people need to see the end results before they will join in. I can tell you are wondering how you will share the end results with others when you are just trying to get started when you are struggling to get the support and momentum needed to take the first step. The answer, you must communicate your vision in a way that people not only see the end results but believe those results are the absolute solution to the problem.
Communication
Every leader has their own style. Some lead from behind, others in front, some are charismatic, and others are factual. There is no right leadership style as long as what you are doing is producing positive solutions, and your team is on board. No matter what kind of leader you are, your communication skills must be on point.
The key to great communication as a leader is to know what communication method each employee prefers and to adjust your style to the preference of the employee. This is vital as we all learn differently. For example, there are some who need to hear the instructions, others who need to read them, some must write the instructions, and others will need hands-on experience to fully understand the process. When we understand what our employees need to be successful, and give this to them, we will get better results than anything we could imagine.
For years, I have led teams of varying sizes in nontraditional work settings. Being aware of the many different learning styles, but not always having the luxury of time to get to know my employees, I have a few tricks I quickly employ to get the same results. For every meeting, I would have an agenda, typed notes, to be given at the meeting, and to be emailed out, and a Q&A session. I would then text any instructions out to key staff members, while walking around, making myself available for questions. My goal was not, never has been, nor ever will be, to make my staff feel stupid, my goal is to meet them where they are and give them what they need. Once I know them and have relationships established, this process is much easier. But as we are working together in stressful situations, with no relationships established, this method has always produced positive results.
Communicating your vision
Once communication styles are understood, it is time for you to communicate your vision. The key to this process is to remember that what you do is far more important than what you say. Your actions must match your words. Once your actions are in alignment with what you will say, it is time for the announcement. No matter what the vision, you must share your passion, your feelings of true success, and paint a picture of what the end results will look like. This communication must be steeped in emotions and facts. If you have worked with this team before, remind them of their past wins, celebrate their victories, and tell them that their track record makes them the perfect team to accomplish these goals.
Once you have shared your vision, layout your plan. Your plan must have the end result, or long-term goal clearly defined. You will need short-term goals, milestones, potential challenges and obstacles identified, daily tasks, due dates, and assignments ready to share. Once you have given all this information out, ask if anyone has questions, knowing they may need time to let it all sink in before they can have questions to ask.
The key to success, to maintaining momentum is what you do after the meeting. As a leader, you cannot disappear, you must make yourself available for questions, work alongside your staff, cheer them on, celebrate victories, and remind them why they are working so hard. Your job as the leader is to conduct the project, leading to your team’s success, because it is always your team’s success, and never your success. It is always your failure, never your team’s failure.
People will follow a well communicated and led vision, no matter the challenges. Sharing the workload, communicating what the solution will bring, and working right next to your staff will ensure success and less stress.
Sincerely,
Sara O
