The RAW Truth

Many leaders think that the most important words used in the leadership arena

are, “get to work,” but nothing could be further from the truth. Most everyone who sets

an alarm to wake up, and takes time to get ready for work, and drives to their

workplace, know that they are heading in to work…to work! Those who work hard are

those who know they are doing work worth doing. The real challenge is creating and

developing a “work worth doing” mindset.

How do leaders accomplish building such an environment? The raw truth can be

found in these seven words, “Respect people, Appreciate people, Work with people.”

Respect comes by knowledge, and knowledge by learning your people. Authentic

leaders take time to get to know their people and the respect they give is born from that

knowledge. I know of this one leader who took his team out to lunch bi-monthly and

asked questions like, “what is your most favorite thing to do, or what is your least

favorite thing to do, how would you describe your most perfect day, or your least perfect

day?” Asking open ended questions open the door to a deeper understanding of your

people.

Over my leadership career, I’ve learned that the seven most important words in

the leadership lexicon are, “Thank You, followed by I’m sorry, and finishing with I

appreciate you.” These words are endearing terms of appreciation that most often

transform the hearts and minds of people. These terms take people past the notion of

just “doing work” to “doing work worth doing.” What’s intriguing is this, when people gain

a sense of worth or self-worth at work, soon that work becomes worth doing.

Finally, the best of leaders will commit themselves to working “with” people, not

having people work “for” them; this type of leadership transforms the workplace.

Leader’s working “with” people do so, willingly, intentionally, thoughtfully, and honestly.

People realizing that a leader is working with them will inevitably begin working with the

leader. Are you with me?