I hope you’re following along as we countdown the final 100 days of 2022 - you can join us anytime. Learn more about the program HERE.

In Part lll of our Learning to Lead series, we’re going to lean into the language of leadership.  Most people think of language as verbal skills.  Maybe even body language.  But language also encompasses our actions.

Maya Angelou says it best, “People may not remember what you do or may not remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”  It is so true.  As human beings, we universally desire to feel valued, seen, and heard.  Imagine when you are able to do that for at least one person, every day.  While you may do it today, it is probably more happenstance than planned.  Great leaders do not leave that interaction to chance, it becomes an intentional act. 

Our brains are trained to replicate actions easily once those actions are repeated and reinforced.  The intentional act of connecting with people around you to ensure they know they are valued, seen, and heard can take on many forms: walking around your office to greet people and check in with them, setting one-on-one meetings with team members to touch base, or putting together small group coffee talks to just see how people are doing.  These are not agenda-based meetings for you to discuss business.  These are opportunities for you to hear from your team and demonstrate genuine care for them as people.  

There are so many simple gestures leaders can use to connect to their teams.  One way I have always found impactful is writing handwritten notes.  In a day where technology and ease of use are the first choices, I prefer an old-school method of writing a note.  I have a calendar time block set for early Friday mornings for 30 minutes.  I keep a well-stocked basket of stationery, stamps, labels, etc., along with a list of contact names and addresses.  I write 3-5 notes a week, expressing my gratitude, well wishes, congratulations, or other thoughts to the individual.  These are always personal sentiments, nothing canned or sterile; all truly heartfelt.  I also keep a small stack in the notebook I always take with me when I’m out of the office.  If I’m sitting in a doctor's or dentist’s waiting room, it’s very easy to write a few notes instead of occupying my time with my phone.  This one way of using written language to connect to people is the most well-received, above and beyond anything else I do.  People understand there is the time involved in writing to them when email or text is easier.  It’s an incredibly easy way to make sure people know they matter.  

How can you connect to those around you?  But more importantly, what habit will you create that demonstrates your commitment to & quality of leadership?