Strong leaders effectively engage their team members using many methods

Last month I wrote about the fact that strong leaders engage their team members in a meaningful manner. The next series of blogs will describe in more detail how to engage your team. In the post-pandemic world, these leadership skills are more important than ever.

Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.

Anne M. Mulcahy

Some leaders are simply not good when it comes to engaging their team members

Years ago, I worked for a leader who did not know how to engage his people. He made everyone nervous with his awkward interactions. It would not be an issue for many roles, but it is problematic if you are a leader. In this case, he was a Battalion Commander with over 500 people assigned to his unit. It was embarrassing how awful he was engaging others. Morale suffered greatly because no one knew what the commander wanted, or if he was ever pleased with our performance. Everyone sighed with great relief the day this commander left. He was that bad.

The leader who replaced him knew how to make good connections with others

A new leader arrived. This leader knew how to engage with her soldiers. Morale improved immensely and performance improved across the board. Simply because we were working for a leader that cared about her people and went out of her way to engage with them in a meaningful manner on a regular basis. She was the kind of leader I enjoyed working for and learning from. She was that good.

A tool to help you engage your team members

As a leader, it is important that you know how to engage your team members in a meaningful manner. There are several different techniques available for leaders to leverage. The table found below describes many methods for engaging your team.

Use the most appropriate technique to engage your team

1. Status meetings – use this method to find out the status of current activities. You will learn about the work your team is doing. People typically enjoy sharing what they are doing with others, especially their leader.
2. One-on-one meetings – this method is for discussing individual performance and career goals. It is a good way to set expectations and provide or receive feedback.
3. Hallway conversations – this informal method allows leaders to touch base with team members to see how they are doing. You can quickly learn what is “top of mind” for your team which is vital for leaders to know.
4. LBWA = leadership by walking around. Leverage this method to get a sense, in general terms, of your team members’ attitudes and sentiments. It is an excellent way to identify challenges early on so that you can resolve them quickly.
5. Two-word check-in – I learned this method from a Brene Brown leadership course. It works well in a virtual or hybrid setting. Ask your team members at the beginning of a meeting to say or type in the chat two words that describe how they are feeling. It helps leaders show empathy at work, especially if someone is not feeling good.

Obviously, there are many more techniques than what is covered here.

What about you? Do you know how to engage?

Do you know how to engage your team members in a meaningful manner? If not, it is time to learn how. We will explore this topic in detail to include points to ponder, practical tactical tips, and lessons learned based on decades of experience.

ATW! is designed to make you a better leader

I hope you join me on this journey to raise the next generation of leaders. The world is in desperate need of more great leaders. Women and men who lead with confidence, clarity, and creativity. It’s time to become the leader that your world needs. Let’s go All The Way!

All The Way Leadership!