Organisations often spend so much time looking at the bottom line, that the people, the individuals that make up the organisation are overlooked. But at the end of the day, longevity of increased revenue and efficiency will only occur, if you understand and make time to support your employees?
It’s all about communication.
Communication manifests itself in many ways. People can read us even without even trying; it is often the subtext that unbeknown to us, is most obvious.
So how do you think people read you? Can they see, a mile off, the mood you are in? Are they able to gauge how you may respond to a request before they ask?
It has been shown that our bodies speak for themselves: 55% of what we are communicating comes from our body language, 38% is our tone of voice and only 7% is what we say. So are you happy with the ‘you’ that you portray?
For starters, why not just pull up a chair before you say anything...?
Managing staff takes skill and vulnerability.
It is often thought that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. Crying all over the place would definitely be seen as that, but that is not what I am referring to. It is much more about being real, acknowledging that we all struggle from time to time. So what if vulnerability is a sign of strength? A sign that you are in touch with your feelings and thus are an empathetic person, who is able to understand others, because you understand yourself?
To be able to empathise you must put one foot in another person’s world, while keeping the other one firmly in your own. It is when employees experience authenticity in another that they are able to be more fully themselves. In the end it’s about connection. The primary need to belong. When we are connected and belong we thrive.
Permission to thrive.
To be believed in is crucial; it is far more likely that people will grow and develop in an atmosphere of hope and expectancy. Many individuals will have striven to get to where they are, so to be valued and encouraged, will facilitate continuous growth. It is when a sense of worth is offered that targets are reached, that goals are met and success achieved.
Develop a culture of worthiness.
A manager who is wholehearted will be aware that compassion and connection, as well as courage are necessary components of a strong lead. When employees have grown up in a shame and blame culture, they may well use this method to manage the difficulties at work.This will mean that shame, the fear of disconnection, and blame, a way of discharging pain and discomfort will also need to be re-framed.
So how do you do that?
Know yourself, be authentic. Risk vulnerability. People respond well to challenge and redirection when the see true humanity reflected in others. Build connection. Investing in people is time well spent.
With thanks to Brene Brown TED Talk- the power of vulnerability.
Susie Flashman Jarvis is a coach and writer. She is a regular contributor to Glassheel and is the head of Stay-the-path coaching. She risks excruciating vulnerability as she relates to others. She can be found on twitter @susiefj and on linkedin.