If you are in a leadership position at your work, you might be surprised at how much people pick up from your body language, non verbal cues and general demeanor above your spoken word. Assuming the leadership position comes with the reality of heightened visibility and the challenge is to make sure with that visibility, resides a responsibility heightened awareness.
Last week I walked into a bike shop where I witnessed many great things coming together at once. The excitement was palpable and the energy was apparent as the team rushed to begin their day. Suddenly came a startling holler from the back 40 which instantaneously changed the mood for the worse.
There was shouting, and tension and a very directionless attempt at leadership from someone who didn't even look like they were involved in this ecosystem. Upon futher examination, it could be determined this was the owner / leader of the operations and as I watched the next 15 minutes, customers headed directly to the cash register, heads down trying to pay for their goods and get out ofthe store.
It clearly made everyone uncomfortable and reminded me of a mother yelling at her children in front of all their friends. Their friends really don't know what to do, the child is humiliated and the mother just keeps on walking unaware of the impression she has just left. Is this effective. Surely not. It simply creates a situation where the child doesn't bring his friends over to the house anymore. For starters, they don't want to come and secondly, the child is embarrassed.
The important point I took from watching this interaction, which is sometimes hard to see in your own situation unless removed, was that the leader needed to be aware, not only of her impact on the team, but the osmotic impact that carried over to the customers.
Remember, if you are leading, others will follow that lead!
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remember others are watching!
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Tuesday, June 05, 2007