Leadership is a tough job. Not only do you have to be adept at managing multiple priorities, but you also have to possess expert people skills. Alesia Latson, a business coach and founder of Latson Leadership Group, offers these three ways to build engagement with your staff:
1. Establish rapport. The best way to build rapport with people is to simply listen to them. When people feel like they’re being heard, they’re more likely to trust you and are more eager to engage with you.
2. Disagree with grace. Rather than abruptly telling people things like, “No, that will never work,” or, “You obviously don’t understand the full situation,” start by acknowledging and validating the other person’s perspective.
3. Offer acknowledgment and praise. Acknowledging someone doesn’t mean gushing over them and touting superlatives that aren’t warranted. It’s also not about empty phrases like “Good job.” Offering acknowledgment and praise works best when you’re factual and point out specifics that made an impact. Remember, too, that acknowledgment doesn’t only happen during a formal meeting or year-end review. You can offer a word of praise in passing at the water cooler. Often, it’s those little interactions that leave a lasting impression.
If you want to be one of those leaders who people can’t seem to resist—the kind of leader who has loyal employees and a strong environment of trust—then you need to focus on these three employee engagement practices.