SIXTEEN STANDARDS OF LEADERSHIP AND PARENTING!
Part Two
There are many factors that contribute to the making of a great leader or parent. For now, let’s focus on 16 key Standards of Leadership. Below are the last 8 of the sixteen.
9) Catch Them Doing Something Right
Most of us respond better to positive reinforcement than constant criticism. It’s important for a great leader or parent to acknowledge when their people do something right. For every piece of negative feedback, there should be at least 10 pieces of positive feedback. It’s also essential to separate the two: coaching discussions should focus on areas of improvement, while positive feedback should not include criticism. By taking the time to catch people doing good things, you greatly increase the chances that it will continue.
10) Your People Are Either Getting Better, Becoming Stagnant, or Getting Worse (Nothing Stands Still)
One of your primary responsibilities as a leader or parent is to continually push their people to improve. Even if they are maintaining an acceptable level, if they are not improving, they may become stagnant or even regress. If individuals aren’t working to get better or are simply maintaining the status quo, they risk falling behind. Effective leadership and coaching are vital in avoiding this.
11) Know Your People Well Enough to Know How to Move Them Individually
Everyone is motivated in different ways. A great leader or parent understands how to get the best out of everyone they are leading. Some people are motivated by money, others by material things, time, or simply a pat on the back. It is your job to discover what motivates each individual and use that information to bring out the best in them. An example I use often: We are going to have contest, the prize for the contest will be $500. You can have $500 in Cash, $500 in something material, $500 in paid time-off, $500 in Lottery Tickets, or $500 in a weekend retreat. Do you know your people well enough to know which they would choose? You should.
12) Be Firm but Fair
If one person is disciplined for making a mistake, then everyone must be disciplined the same way for the same mistake. Leading or parenting by exception doesn’t work. Discipline is not the fun part of being a great leader or parent, but it is necessary at times and must be consistent. Remember that discipline is something you do for someone, not to them. It’s also important to be fair with positive reinforcement.
13) Give Them Quality Time
As a great leader or parent, you have many responsibilities, some of which don’t involve direct interaction with your people. While those tasks are important, it is crucial to ensure you stay in touch with your people. Make sure they have the tools and resources they need to be successful. Whenever possible, clear your schedule and focus your time on them. If they know you care, they will repay you with positive results.
14) Individuals Are Individuals
To be truly effective, you must maintain a professional or parental relationship at all times. Personal relationships have no place in business, and business relationships have no place in personal life. If you have a personal relationship with someone in your business life, it is vital to keep the two separate.
It’s also important to treat your people equally. If you have a personal relationship with one member of your team but not the others, it could create feelings of exclusion or resentment. As mentioned earlier, be firm and fair—it’s hard to do if you’re socializing with one team member and not others.
In your personal life, treat each person equally. Having favorites can cause division and hurt feelings. I recall a time when I was having deep, individual conversations with my grandchildren, but time got in the way, and one of my granddaughters felt left out. She asked, “When is it my turn for lunch and the ‘talk’?” Totally my fault, and I scheduled lunch with her right away.
15) Let Them Know Exactly What Is Expected of Them
One of the most frustrating things for people, regardless of the relationship, is when they don’t know what is expected of them. If they don’t know, how can they possibly meet your expectations? That’s why goals, standards, policies, and procedures need to be clear, so your people understand exactly what is expected of them.
16) Make It Fun
Almost everyone is more engaged, productive, and prosperous when they are having fun. It’s your responsibility as a leader or parent to create an environment that is enjoyable, where people look forward to being part of your family or team. This can be accomplished through positive feedback, coaching, training, contests, games, and taking the time to get to know each person individually. People want and need to be successful, and it’s your job to give them the tools to do so.
Conclusion
The main theme of all these standards is putting your people in a position to be successful. While leaders and parents have many responsibilities, there is no duty more important than providing the necessary support to help people succeed. If your people are successful, you will be a successful leader.
Take the time to invest in your people and discover what motivates them. Learn who responds to serious discussions and who responds to positive reinforcement. Use that information to help them succeed. A great leader or parent is only great because of the amazing people they lead!
Tips on Getting the Maximum Benefit
- Reread this information and write down your top 2 takeaways.
- Reflect on how they relate to you and your situation.
- When speaking with your audience, develop your own stories and analogies to show how these lessons apply to them.
- Share your biggest takeaway in the comments section. I would love to hear from you!