Prioritizing People: The Key to Leadership Success
Let's kick off this post with a simple yet powerful exercise - two deep breaths. Wherever you are, take a moment to join me before jumping into information.
As leaders, we're constantly faced with a myriad of priorities. However, one aspect that often gets overlooked is prioritizing people. In today's fast-paced business world, where productivity reigns supreme, it's easy for leaders to lose sight of the importance of investing in their team members.
In every industry, we're witnessing a common trend - the demand for higher productivity without adequate resources to support it. As leaders, we have a unique opportunity to redefine priorities and allocate time and resources towards what truly matters - our people.
Research consistently highlights the correlation between prioritizing employee well-being and organizational success. Yet, it's surprising how few companies actively prioritize their people.
Allow me to illustrate this with an example. Meet Monica, a VP in her organization. Monica is passionate about her work and dedicated to achieving outcomes. However, her priorities seem to lie elsewhere:
Her calendar is packed from 7 AM to 7 PM, leaving no room for her team members to seek support or guidance.
Emails regarding employee well-being initiatives go unanswered, and scheduled meetings are often rescheduled or canceled.
Despite the company's longstanding well-being program, Monica has never engaged with it, highlighting a disconnect between her priorities and the organization's values.
Monica isn't a bad leader; she's simply navigating within a system that emphasizes tangible outcomes over intangible priorities like employee well-being.
However, it's crucial to acknowledge that people should always be the top priority. This doesn't mean neglecting other objectives; rather, it's about recognizing that when we prioritize our people, everything else falls into place.
Transitioning to a people-first mindset requires intentional steps:
Evaluate Your Priorities: Take a critical look at your calendar and assess how you spend your time. Are you dedicating sufficient time to supporting and engaging with your team?
Nurture Relationships: Reflect on the quality of your relationships with your team members. Solicit feedback from them and be open to suggestions for improvement.
Make Yourself Accessible: If your calendar is overflowing, consider blocking out time for open office hours or casual check-ins. Demonstrating availability fosters a culture of support and connection.
Collaborate with Peers: Engage with other leaders to explore how priorities can be realigned to prioritize people. Collaboration is key in driving meaningful change within the organization.
Remember, this journey towards prioritizing people is a gradual process. Start with small steps and remain committed to fostering a culture where people feel valued and supported.
You've got this! Begin by taking stock of your current priorities and identifying areas for improvement. Each week, I'll introduce new ideas and strategies to support your growth as a people-centric leader.
As you continue on this journey, I encourage you to lean into what resonates with you most and take empowered action. Together, let's create workplaces where people thrive and succeed.
