12 THINGS THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP redhandbag.co.uk Hi It’s great to connect with you. Leading people can be a lonely job. I hope you find some tips you can use today? Please feel free to get in touch and share your own leadership tips. www.redhandbag.co.uk It would be great to hear what works for you 1 Everyone’s not like you As a leader you are going to be exposed to lots of different types of people. ‘we are all unique The sooner you understand that your people rather than people may not have the same values as get upset and you the easier it will be for you to manage frustrated ’ them. Have regular catch ups to find out what makes them tick and motivates them. redhandbag.co.uk look to value the differences in 2 You might not like some of the people you manage You don’t always get to pick your own team. ‘its your job to Look for the qualities and skills people are good at, you have not what they don't have. don't have to like find what people them to respect If you find you have someone on your team who seems to be struggling. Help them work out what they are good at. If it means they don't fit on your team, help them move on. redhandbag.co.uk them’ 3 You are always being watched Don’t forget as the leader everyone is watching you all of the time. Be the behaviour you want to see.Whether you like it or not your team are a reflection of you. redhandbag.co.uk ‘your people will copy your behaviour good and bad’ 4 What makes you tick? How well do you know yourself ? What are your values? What do you stand for? You should often talk about your values and beliefs to your people. ‘Did you know you can choose your state. Choose a helpful one, don’t become part of the problem’ redhandbag.co.uk 5 There is no leadership rule book You are going to come across situations where there are no black and white answers Use your values to help you make the right decisions. Treat people as individuals, rules are there as guidance. Always be fair and make sure you don't have favourites. redhandbag.co.uk ‘Great leaders manage in the grey’ 6 ‘ It’s the little things that matter Getting to know your people shows you care. ‘take the time What are their dreams and goals? What to get know you motivates them? What’s their story? people and they will give you more in return’. redhandbag.co.uk 7 Being a great coach helps To be a great coach you need to listen and care about the other person. A great coach helps people find their own solutions and doesn't keep telling them what to do.Using models like GROW is helpful. If you’re selfish it won’t work. Get a coach yourself it really helps. redhandbag.co.uk ‘coaching is like holding a mirror up to someone, allowing them to see there is a different way of doing something’ 8 You need to live your values everyday What’s your story? What are you prepared to share with your people? How will you show them what’s important to you? ‘Be prepared to stand up for you values and Its no good saying one thing and doing manage your another. You will gain respect more quickly people when what you do and what you say match. redhandbag.co.uk accordingly’ 9 You can never tell your people too much Tell your people about what you are working on. Treat them with respect and let them know what’s happening good and bad. Your people may not always like what you have to say it’s your job to at least help them understand. redhandbag.co.uk ‘don’t treat your people like mushrooms and keep them in the dark’ 10 Being friendly & friends is different You have enough friends.Do you really need more? There is a way of being friendly without acting like friends. Your people need a leader not a best friend. If you have to have a tough work related conversation would you be able to do it? If people think you have a favourite maybe you need to review how you are managing? redhandbag.co.uk ‘Avoid social media, do you really want to see what your team get up to at the weekend?’ 11 Feedback is a gift Feedback is a way of sharing what you see good and bad. Encourage a feedback culture in your team, allowing everyone to share the good stuff,that includes you ! Always use facts when providing feedback. Ask questions to get a better understanding there are always reasons for behaviours. redhandbag.co.uk ‘don’t save feedback up share what you see when you see it’ 12 It’s not about the money If you love making a difference and developing people it can be one of the best jobs ever. If you are a new manager you may find that some of your people could be making more money than you, especially if you work in sales. If you care more about money than people find another job. redhandbag.co.uk ‘people don’t leave great companies they leave poor managers’ Red Handbag So….. What next? Most people don't leave great companies they leave poor managers. Here at Red Handbag we work with leaders who are either new into their roles or who want to gain more confidence in the way they work with their people. In business people are your biggest asset as well as your biggest cost. Make sure you have the confidence to be a great leader and get the best out of your people. Get in touch to see how we can help you be even more brilliant. ‘What would your people say about you as a leader? Why don't you ask them?’ redhandbag.co.uk