How to Unlock the Power of an Appreciated and Well Supported Team

Welcome to the final installment of our series, “The 5 D’s of Owning Your Role.” We’ve journeyed through the essential aspects of leadership, and today, we’re delving into the fifth and pivotal ‘D’: Delivering the Right Support.

Jack Welch once said, “Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. After you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” This encapsulates the essence of delivering support to your team. As I often emphasize, the number one reason people leave a job is not feeling appreciated.

I know I promised to share a secret with you today so here it is:

Not everyone feels supported in the same way.

People have different preferences and needs when it comes to feeling supported, and it’s important to acknowledge and cater to those individual differences.

To ensure you’re delivering the right support, consider the following support styles:

Rewards: Recognize outstanding performance by offering incentives like bonuses or extra time off. For instance, you could acknowledge a team member’s exceptional work by granting them a gift card to their favorite restaurant.
Oversight: Provide guidance and mentorship to help team members grow. For example, schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss their career goals and progress, offering constructive feedback and actionable advice.
Education: Invest in their professional development by providing access to training, workshops, or courses. Encourage team members to attend industry conferences or enroll in skill-enhancing programs.
Public Praise: Celebrate achievements openly and regularly. During team meetings, highlight individual accomplishments, such as completing a challenging project ahead of schedule, and express your gratitude for their contributions.
Autonomy: Trust your team members to take ownership of their work. Empower them to make decisions and execute projects independently, allowing them to showcase their leadership skills.

By tailoring your support to match these styles, you’ll foster a work environment where team members feel valued and motivated to excel.

So this week, I want to challenge you to find creative ways to let your team know how much they are appreciated and supported.

Here’s an idea to get the ball rolling:

Let’s add some extra fun to your office environment with a unique engagement idea. You know those entertaining contests where clients guess how many jelly beans are in the jar for a chance to win a prize? How about we put a heartwarming twist on it? Encourage your clients to express their gratitude by writing notes of appreciation to your exceptional team members. They can submit these heartfelt messages on pieces of paper into a big jar or basket.

To make it even more enticing, for every note submitted, their name goes into a drawing. The lucky winner selected from this drawing will receive a fantastic prize, perhaps an iPad or something equally exciting. But here’s the best part: once you’ve collected all these heartfelt comments, you can share them with your team as a token of appreciation. It’s a win-win situation that not only engages your clients but also reinforces the bonds within your team.

This innovative approach not only boosts morale but also shows your team just how valued they are by both clients and leadership. It’s all about DELIVERING positivity and building a stronger, more connected workplace.

Proactive, Productive and Profitable,

Dino Watt