5 Leadership Values That Will Improve Your Team's Productivity and Job Satisfaction
The workplace can be tough sometimes, and the team's success often rests on the shoulders of the leader(s).
There are numerous leadership styles, but finding one that's effective for your situation, values, and goals can make all the difference in your team's job satisfaction and productivity.
That's why it's important to take note of which leadership values are most important to you and then measure how those values are working out in practice. A good leader builds their team to be successful, and their leadership style must reflect that goal.
If you're looking to improve your team's productivity and job satisfaction, consider implementing these five values into your leadership style to help get the most out of your employees.
Trust
Developing a trusting relationship with employees is essential to building a successful team. By allowing your employees to work with you and collaborate on projects, they'll be able to see what you expect of them and how much you care about their success.
A leader's ability to inspire trust in their employees allows them to truly be themselves at work, knowing that they can focus on creating great products or services without worrying about whether they will have jobs next month or if they are being judged unfairly by their supervisor.
If your team trusts you, they'll feel comfortable taking risks and speaking up. A team with good trust won't be afraid to challenge a leader's decisions if they aren't working out as planned—but they will trust that their concerns will be listened to and taken seriously.
While trust between team members is a two-way street, it's important for leaders to be aware of what signals and actions promote positive relationships and help maintain trust in themselves and their team.
Transparency
The importance of being transparent with your team is a leadership value that may seem obvious at first, but it's one that needs to be placed high on your priority list.
It's important to let your team know where you stand, and if you have difficulty doing so for some reason, you should work on it. Be honest with yourself and those around you regarding where your team stands and what projects or tasks need to be completed next.
Nothing drives away productivity faster than being told lies or feeling that someone isn't giving 100 percent truthfulness during business discussions.
Leaders who communicate openly and clearly with their team will have a major advantage over those who don't. Transparency builds trust, which is vital for any organization.
Whether it's a simple email update or a special meeting to discuss issues, your team will be more effective if they know that you have their best interests.
Open Communication
As a leader, you have to make sure your team members know what's going on within your company and that they feel comfortable talking to you about any issues or concerns.
You may think open communication isn't important because it doesn't contribute directly to improving productivity, but being able to hear your team members' perspectives is key to keeping them engaged and happy in their jobs. (Plus, unhappy workers are less productive.)
This can be hard for some leaders—you have to learn how to listen without judgment or criticism—but learning how to communicate openly with your team will help you create a better work environment for everyone involved. It will also help you solve problems faster if issues arise within your company or department.
While opening up communication is an important trait for any good leader, you should be careful not to ask questions or make suggestions that could seem pushy or hurtful; there is a fine line between asking how and asking why when it comes to leading your team members in their work projects.
Feedback
It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to improve your team's performance is to invest in them personally. This can be as simple as providing constructive feedback (and allowing for it in return) or helping your employees develop their personal career goals.
While some people might bristle at being asked to do anything more than their day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, most thrive on positive reinforcement—especially in today's competitive business environment.
They will enjoy working harder and more enthusiastically, but they'll also feel good about it afterwards. Most importantly, everyone will benefit from higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction. In addition to simply offering praise or criticism when appropriate, your feedback should be specific and actionable.
Collaboration
An important value for leadership collaboration is a must for today's workplace. A team or department with effective collaboration can accomplish more in half an hour than a team that isn't can do in two days.
When everyone on your team works together, you and your colleagues reap great benefits: brainstorming sessions lead to new ideas, open communication leads to more productive relationships, and accountability helps eliminate obstacles before they become roadblocks.
Working collaboratively also means that tasks get done faster and more effectively because every team member is focused on helping one another instead of individually working toward goals you set as individuals.
Conclusion
Whatever values you choose to uphold as a leader, always remember that leading by example is of paramount importance. It will improve your team's productivity and job satisfaction, and they will also be eager to learn from you and aspire to achieve more when under your watch.
Creating a cohesive team with clear goals and values requires an introspective look at your leadership style and practices. Remember, though, it's never too late for self-improvement. There are always new ways to improve yourself as a leader, so don't be afraid to try something new if you feel like you could do better.
It's not easy being in charge of other people—but it is rewarding when you know that everyone is on board with your vision and working towards achieving it together.
You can create a more productive environment where everyone feels valued and respected while also feeling challenged to reach their full potential by following these tips.