One of the most important skills to cultivate as a leader is Awareness. The ability to remain aware of your surroundings, your team and your own thoughts and behavior is crucial to maintaining an efficient workforce.
But what exactly do you need to be aware of? We’ve created a short checklist for you and some explanations to go along with it.
Start to Be Aware…
…of where everyone on your team fits behaviorally. What are their strengths and weaknesses? This is important for balance – and not just for balance’s sake, but in order to pursue your objectives as a company.
…of their engagement. Are your team members truly engaged? Are they participating? Are they speaking up in meetings, volunteering for projects, and taking advantage of advancement and educational opportunities? Remember, an engaged employee = a happy employee – one who wants to be working for you.
…of the right people for the job. It’s one thing to have bums in seats, but do you have the right bums in the right seats? Could there be a better fit for those who are lack luster or falling behind? Is it because they aren’t working hard enough, or is it because they are not very well-suited to their assigned tasks? Finding the right fit for the job can make the difference between happy employees and high turnover.
Awareness is a muscle that you can strengthen. You might not be able to assess all of the above situations right now, but the more you practice, the easier it will be. Awareness helps you understand what your team members need, and how you can best show up for your team as a leader.