· Encourage team members to bring problems to you, along with solutions.
· Allow them to make decisions and think processes through independently.
· Create simple recognition awards and present them in a group setting.
· Communicate by multiple methods frequently (phone, e-mail and broadcast messages).
· Hold regular, purposeful meetings and encourage employees to participate in the planning.
· Remember birthdays and anniversaries as much as possible.
· When a problem arises, make no judgment until all the facts are studied.
· Stop fixing. Let people be responsible for the jobs they were hired to do.
· Remember common courtesies such as saying “Hello,” “Thank you” and “May I help you?”
· Handle serious problems quickly, or delegate them to a more suitable department.
· Know the company policies. Understand and follow HR policies.
· Read at least one personal growth book every month.
· Keep your own life balanced and stress free, and encourage employees to do the same.
Include Stress Reduction in Your Plans
Experts say stress can occur in both positive and negative situations. Believe it or not, there are stories of lottery winners having heart attacks after learning they won millions. As an effective leader, you can reduce the day-to-day stress for your team members in the following ways:
· Instill confidence through training and coaching.
· Recognize the smallest accomplishments with praise and positive feedback.
· Encourage life balance, reaffirming belief in the need to have a life outside of work.
· Champion physical activity by finding deals on local gyms or providing in-house fitness facilities, if the budget allows.
· Never discuss one employee with another. It will get out.
· Help employees manage their time by teaching them to use time-blocking methods and other time-management techniques.
· Make time for everyone, and show no favoritism.
· Make eating lunch mandatory.
· Bring in an expert to discuss desk yoga or other relaxation techniques.
· Let your people know you aren’t perfect and that you care about their success.
Before you deliver bad news of any kind, think your delivery through carefully.
