The meant to be scene is uniquely important to Team Leadership. Your team must feel connected to you and then to your process. Remember the saying, ‘people don’t quit jobs, they quit people’? This is especially true for the Millennial generation that is filling up the workplace with relational expectations. Every team member, regardless of generation, needs to know that their placement on your team is meant to be.
Tell the story of their purpose to the team. Explain their role repeatedly. Make your team feel more important than end results. Get This: Chick Flicks are character driven, so are your teams. Good leaders gain loyal followers when they regularly engage their team in role, purpose and process discussions.
2. Expect conflict. Fight for the relationship.
There is always a pre-break up scene in every good chick flick. Before the hero and heroine commit their love to one another they end it. It usually sounds like a.) we are from different worlds b.) we are too young c.) I’m a vampire and you are not. This middle section of the movie propels story via conflict. It causes us to pick sides. More importantly, it causes us to root for the couple.
The hero exists to save, rescue and express his love at any cost. You are no different. Stop looking to them to make you feel better about yourself and step up to the humble task of relational leadership. Stop using language that expresses ego, fatigue and boredom. This scripting makes you seem disengaged from relationships.
Too many leaders assume that this is endearing because it gains temporary sentiment. It’s not. It’s weak. It causes pre-break up. No one likes a wimpy lead character. Like a chick flick hero, speak boldly to the story of your team. Declare your loyalty to them in days, months and years. Preach longevity. Get this: Employee’s trend short-term these days. Still, focus on building long-term loyalty that exists after employee turn over. Good leaders gain loyal followers when relationships are securely built over time.
3. Wear good shoes. There will be running.
There is a track meet at the end of every good chick flick. Running through a city. Running through an airport. Running through a field. Running. Running. Running. Here’s a short list to prove my point:
Notting Hill: running to a press junket.
Pretty Woman: running up a fire escape.
Sleepless in Seattle: Running to the Empire State building.
Titanic: Running off a ship.
Can you imagine the hero running away from the heroine while violins play the victory swoon? Never happens. Run towards and not away from as a leader. Be the definitive pursuer of your team in, around, and through barriers. This will endear you to your team.
Pursue them by making sure that everyone feels valid. Do this by creating an atmosphere of support through verbal communication. Allow patience. Get this: You will do more slowly together, than quickly in isolation. Help your team express appreciation for each other. Good leaders know they are an effective relational leader when other department employee’s ask you if you have any needs in yours.
How are you doing as a relational leader?
Facebook
GooglePlus
MailChimp
RSS
Pinterest
StumbleUpon
Twitter