To reach your goals or your vision of success you need to get people onboard your bus, not run them over on the way. Don’t be so hard-charging that you actually run over your employees and colleagues on the way to your destination.
In the movie “Speed” they could not slow down or the bus would blow up. If you are a motivated and driven manager or leader you may feel this way about your goals and your own personal success. Nothing can slow you down and you will run over anyone who gets in your way.
The problem with this is two key important factors you need to help you reach your goals and achieve your vision of success are your employees and your colleagues. Not only do you need them now, but you will need them in the future. Run them over and you have a bumpy ride and will find few allies in the future.
Keep Your Employees On Your Bus
It does not matter how good of a manager or leader your are, your success is directly linked to the success of your employees. In fact you should coach your employees because their success is your success. Without them you will have a hard time meeting your goals or vision of success.
Rule #1 – Don’t throw your employees under your bus, get them onboard.
If you want to get your employees onboard there are three essential things you need to do.
- Care About Your Employees – Many employees feel their manager does not care about their issues. To show you care about your employees sit down and talk with them. Engage them just as you would a friend to find our if they have any issues with their work, their co-workers and anything else. You must take care of the basic needs of your employees. This will show you care and it will open and enhance communications.
- Develop a Relationship With Your Employees – Your employees don’t have to be your best friends, but you should have a good relationship with them. Sit down and ask about their family and learn what is going on in their life. You will learn things that will help you better manage and understand them and it develops that essential bond of trust.
- Show Your Employees You Appreciate Them – The number one complaint employees have is the feel their work is not appreciated by their boss or their company. You should give honest praise to your employees when they do good work so they will know that their work is appreciated. It raises their morale and their productivity.
You want to inspire, encourage and empower your employees. To help get your employees onboard and keep them there learn “What Makes Employees Happy” and “Ten Things Your Employees Want”.
Don’t Run Over Colleagues
In the same way you need to get your employees on your bus to reach your goals and vision of success, you also need the help of your colleagues. Getting fellow managers and leaders onboard gives you people who can advise you and come to your aid when you need it.
Rule # 2 – Don’t run over your colleagues on the way to your destination.
Your colleagues also have goals and ambitions as well as a long memory. If you use them and abuse them they will remember and be less likely to help you now and in the future. Engage your colleagues to build a network of support for your journey.
Thank them when they give you help. Acknowledge them when their work benefits you. Build solid working relationships with them so they will be there when you need them. Having a network of colleagues onboard will help speed you to success.
Stop the Bus, Get Out and Engage
Take the time now to stop your bus, get out and engage your employees and your colleagues. Get them onboard and your bus will run smoother and you will reach your goals and your vision of success.
When you take the time to do this your employees and colleagues will be more likely to stay on your bus, work harder, give you more loyalty and extra effort as well as the positive energy you need to fuel your bus for a successful ride.
To learn more about how you can do this read “Management By Walking Around MBWA”. It will show you how to get out of your bus drivers seat and build the relationships you need to reach your goals and your vision of success.