I was recently in Palm Desert facilitating a strategic planning session with an executive team. The week I left, the forecast was calling for 44 degrees celcius (111 degrees fahrenheit). “But it’s a dry heat” residents explain. Sure, so is fire! The pool was pretty popular. Nice to discuss issues in a pool rather than a boardroom btw.
One of the topics we covered was all things people related.
Like every company, they had a couple of brilliant jerks; people who are productive but hard on everyone around them. Here’s the thing these folks forget:
People won’t go along with you if they can’t get along with you.
They drive out your good people and keep A-players from joining your team.
One of the top reasons that cause people to join a company is that they believe that there are development opportunities for them there.
They think that someone will help them move forward in life and career.
And the reverse is true too. If no one cares for, or mentors them, they’re at flight risk.
Here are some ways you can add value to the people working with you so that your influence increases:
- Make sure they have the tools they need to do their job properly.
- Meet them for coaching on a regular basis. Whether that’s once/quarter, once/month, or once/week. This needs to happen. Ask them what their problems are and share your wisdom about how to solve them.
- Write notes of encouragement. A handwritten note is huge in this day of electronic communication.
- Understand what their career goals are and help them achieve them.
- Share your view of their strengths and also their areas for improvement. Be honest and encouraging.
- Outline for them what you see as their bigger future. Give them something to aim for. Progress = happiness. When people feel they’re progressing, they’re happy. Even if the progress is small. Stagnation = discontent. Don’t let it fester.
All of this requires intentionality.
Adding value doesn’t just happen. It happens when you decide that the purpose of your life is to add value to other people. Then you start doing it. It’s an attitude.
Incidentally, seeing others win will make you happy too.
Getting ahead is about getting started.
