TCFP108: HANCH'S HOW-TO'S 7.0

Thank you for listening to The Champion Forum Podcast with Jeff Hancher! What will the workplace look like after Covid19? What role does “the greater good” play in a business, and how important is it really? Today I’m giving you a look at the trends that I am seeing this month in leadership and business. You’ll also get my number one tip for planning for the future as a business. I present this segment once a month to show you just a quick peek at what it is like to join a one-on-one or group coaching program with me! You can find out more information at www.jeffhancher.com/groups.

Lead with purpose

Of course, you should be intentional with your leadership, but you also need to show your team their purpose. In other words, show them how they play into the mission and the value your organization brings to the marketplace.

According to a recent Gallup poll, approximately 13% of adults with full-time jobs found their work meaningful. Capitalism has taken a beating during this crisis. More than ever, people are looking to organizations to do more than make money. People need to feel they are contributing to something greater than themselves that makes a difference in the world.

When you do this, your organization will be more creative and more profitable. People who find meaning in their work don’t hoard their energy and dedication. They give freely and are less concerned about their self-interest. They grow rather than stagnate. They do more—and they do it better.

Q: What do you think is your purpose? How do you connect your purpose to your work? Describe a time when you saw the bigger picture behind your job and how it made you feel. How did it influence your work?

Lead as a coach

My experience is showing that many companies need to promote new leaders before they are truly ready. At the same time, leadership roles are becoming increasingly complex, presenting new leaders with the challenge of “learning the role while leading it.” A high percentage of leadership development is through on-the-job experience, not just development programs.

I am recommending that organizations create a coaching culture where leaders develop other leaders and support one another in navigating the real-world challenges they face. After all, leadership is better caught than taught. Organizations must develop and execute world-class mentoring programs for the new leaders they are onboarding. Don’t wait! You will experience turnover. The question is, will you be ready?

Q: Did you have a coach or a mentor? Describe your relationship. How did they help you move forward in your career? What do you think your life would have been like without a mentor? How can you pay it forward and help people who are new to your business?

Create a Community

Many organizations that I support have concluded that they intend to stay remote, even after the pandemic is over. While there are benefits to this structure, you will need to consider one thing you did not have to worry about before: loneliness.

Connecting online is great, but we crave physical connection. Shaking hands, bumping fists, and giving a friendly work hug seems trivial until it’s gone. In the short term, we will need to find some other ways of building rapport and relationships. Here are some of the suggestions I have given my coaching clients:

• Encourage your team to collaborate and speak with each other.

• Have conversations with your team unrelated to work.

• Find a common cause to help or contribute to during these changing times.

• Make it fun (Christmas Scavenger Hunt)

• Send letters/gifts to the home to engage the entire family.

• Virtual Parties (St Patrick’s Day, birthdays, etc.)

• Consider a newsletter to drive recognition and engagement.

While the physical connection won’t be there, for now, you’ve laid the foundation for a stronger team in the future.

Q: What else do you think is different when you work remotely? Describe one thing you like and one thing that is more challenging. How would creating more community on your team influence your productivity?

Application Activities

1. What is your organization’s purpose? How do you strategically communicate that purpose to your team? At your next meeting, ask your team if they know the organization’s bigger purpose and how they play into it. Consider how you can reinforce your organization’s culture by reminding your team about the role they play in the bigger mission. Check out the show notes from our episode on company culture here for more ideas!

2. Some organizations say that they have a mentorship program, but they still struggle to retain and develop high-quality leaders. If this describes your situation, evaluate your program using these three questions.

1. How are mentees and mentors matched? Makes sure that your approach is not just based on personality. Look for mentors who have the skills your young leader needs and a desire to push them to be their best.

2. What guides the content of the mentorship program? If there is no content, consider utilizing a book or a leadership curriculum to bring more structure. If you are using a resource, find out if the curriculum is being used exclusively or if it is guiding the discussion so that your young leader’s questions are being answered and needs are being met.

3. How is the success of the program being measured? You may need to establish new standards or establish better methods of measuring its success.

3. If you are currently working remotely, create a strategy today for implementing team-building events over the next three months. Consider what you will do, who will be in charge of creating them, and how you will measure the success of the events.