Have you made emotional investments for your people?
In my recent post “Confronting the Issues”, we discussed those moments when confrontation arises. With any form of disagreement, it is vital to understand both sides of an issue. We risk further disagreement or hurt feeling if we let issues fester. When someone is offended by us or feedback we offer, it lets us know we have not truly formed a positive relationship with that individual. We have heard of the concept, emotional bank accounts before. In my years of experience, this is a real thing. It is often discussed in books or trainings we receive. Simple acts to make people feel appreciated, valued, and cared for. This is something I have failed to pay close attention to. I understand the value of adding to someone’s emotional bank account but forget to make regular deposits. So, what do I need to do to ensure it gets done on a regular basis?
The first opportunity to make investments should be simple conversations. We pass one anther in the halls several times a day. We have such brief interactions and never stop and have an engaging conversation. I will admit that my workday is busy, and I get caught up in what is needing my attention. The same goes for my people. They too, are busy in what they need to get done and I hate to interrupt them in what they are engaged in. So, what are some moments throughout they day I could engage in conversations? In my time as an elementary principal, I made the effort to visit every room in the morning to say hi. This has not occurred at the high school level because I have chosen to stand at the door and great students. A potential plan looking ahead, is to choose a day just for staff interactions. They are just as important our students and it is vital to visit them as well.
Another opportunity is to be available for them to express their concerns and be a good listener. Do your people trust you enough to share their concerns? I would like to think my people would talk to me no matter what, but in some cases or with some individuals this has not occurred. My perspective is that I am an open-minded individual who enjoys other ideas. However, I know at times I can be stubborn. We need to listen to all ideas and be sure we understand the other side of the issues that arise. If we value our people, they should be free to share their thoughts and ideas with us if we want the best for our organizations. My hope for my organization, is to achieve a trusting environment where my people will discuss their concerns with me, whether these concerns are for the organization or personal. I am open to hear anything.
Lastly, we can make emotional investments with our people by allowing them to be vulnerable, vent and even be angry with our decisions. As I indicated, I can be stubborn and stuck in my ways. So, when we are talking about day-to-day initiatives, I try to keep all opinions or options on the table. I value my people so much, and I am sure there are some who do not believe that. I believe they see me as the boss, so they are guarded with their opinions and feelings. To change this mindset, I need my people to realize they can vent or be vulnerable with me. We must check our emotions in these given situations because if we react in a negative way, they will no longer share with us.
Are you having engaging conversations with you people?
Are you a trustworthy listener for your people?
Are you open the ideas of others?
Are you open to feedback from your people, while keeping your emotions in check?
We may experience confrontations as the leader of our organizations. We must create an environment where confrontation is ok if we have made deposits into the emotional bank account of our people. It boils down to relationship building. This is the key to success in any organization. I hope you can create such an environment for your organizations. Thanks for checking out this week’s post, and please leave your feedback below. Have a great week!
Steven C. Bucks- Leading Conversations
