Be a human first and leader second
About 70% of leaders rate themselves as inspiring and motivating, and a survey by Forbes found that 65% of employees would forego a pay raise if it meant seeing their leader fired. Gallup engagement survey found that 82% of employees see their leaders as fundamentally uninspiring.
We are all driven by basic needs for meaning, happiness, and a desire to contribute. Leaders that truly understand these needs, and lead in a way that enables these motivations, can enable strong loyalty, engagement, and performance.
The power of leadership lies in our ability to form personal and meaningful bonds with the people whom we lead. As leaders, we must be humans before managers. Here are a few tips:
- Be personal
- Be self-aware
- Be selfless
- Be compassionate