Gaining trust is a critical component of leadership. However, many leaders overlook the importance of this reality as they roll up their sleeves and get to work. They get so focused on the tasks at hand that they miss out on the “low hanging fruit” that can increase and enhance their influence.
But when you invest the time and energy to meet the needs of your followers, trust can develop quickly and your leadership impact can multiply unimaginably.
Consider the following four simple ways to intentionally meet the needs of your followers:
1 – Slow down long enough to pay attention to your surroundings.
It’s easy to be or feel so busy that you rarely slow down. It can feel like you’re losing ground every second that you do. However, when you pay attention to what’s going on around you, you can see opportunities to help your team members that can pay long-term dividends.
2 – Schedule focused time to listen to team members’ needs or concerns.
Intentional, focused time can reveal many things that your followers are dealing with. It doesn’t have to be hours on end, but rather small focused blocks of time where you can ask specific questions so they can give you specific answers.
3 – Don’t overlook simple, obvious needs that can be easily met.
Sometimes things that seem small to you are big frustrations to others. Simply removing the obstacles and frustrations of your team members speaks volumes about how you value them and that you’re noticing their pain points.
4 – Take action immediately to meet needs you become aware of.
Once you’re aware of needs you can meet, don’t sit on the information. Take immediate action. This expresses care and concern while communicating that you truly did hear what your followers are saying.
Imagine having a team full of people who feel valued and respected.
Imagine having the reputation of a leader who truly hears and addresses employee issues.
Imagine the attractiveness that being this kind of leader would display when you’re seeking high-quality team members.
This is all possible when you decide to implement these four simple ways to learn about and meet the needs of your followers.
In my new book, The Magnetic Leader: 18 Essential Actions of Leaders People Love to Follow, I go much deeper into Essential Action #1 – Meets Needs. CLICK HERE to join the waiting list to get updates on when the book will be released and receive a FREE POSTER revealing all 18 Essential Actions!
Until next time…make today GREAT!
