Become a Leader That People Want to Follow

When you ask most employees what affects their day-to-day performance the most, the most common answer is their immediate supervisor. Supervisors have a profound effect on the employees they manage. Whether this effect is positive or negative is up to the supervisor. It's certainly isn't easy, but with a few simple, yet powerful changes in a supervisors behavior the different can be amazing.

When communicating with employees don't simple tell them what to do. Share information with them and ask for their opinion. People are more receptive when the feel they are heard and have an opinion in what happens at work. Plus, the meeting of minds always makes for a more productive workforce. Empowering your employees do their job without your constant interference can only help productivity. In addition listen to their complaints and needs and then act upon them. If they know you are listening, they will work much harder. A happy workplace is also an efficient and productive one.

Never focus on the negative. Always tell people what they are doing right. Go out of your way to find the good things in your workplace. This positive reinforcement always works better than the negative. Try to focus on solutions rather than problems. Don't get angry and harp on the problem that has presented itself. This negative attitude shuts people down. Looking solutions stimulates the positive creativity that your workforce possesses.

Lastly, NEVER discipline an employee in public. There will come a time when you have to have a conversation with an employee. If this occurs, do it in your office or behind closed doors. Nothing will de-motivate an entire workplace than public discipline. Not only will it embarrass the employee in question, but the rest of the workplace will also lose inspiration. When you do need to discipline, make sure you have cooled off first. Never discipline when you are angry.

As a supervisor you have a powerful influence on your staff and how you handle this influence will determine your personal success and failure. If you fail to become a great leader, your staff will suffer and then in turn you will suffer low productivity and an unhappy workplace. Your success is linked directly with your leadership style. Make it a positive, motivating style and your employees will follow.