leadership

Guest Post: Go the Extra Mile: 4 Ways to Be a Better Leader at Work

Developing and honing leadership skills can allow professionals to kick their career into high gear. Becoming a better communicator and learning ways to motivate others or improve morale can have many benefits. Employing the following strategies can help make it easier to go the extra mile.

Communication Is Key

Communication skills are perhaps the most important aspect of being an effective leader. Learning how to communicate more concisely or finding ways to become a better listener. Even the most accomplished leaders may have little to offer others should they fail to find ways to communicate effectively. Effective leadership also means being able to facilitate communication among team members and when dealing with third-parties.

Recognize and Reward Accomplishment

Poor morale is never a concern that should be taken lightly. Celebrating the accomplishments of the team and ensuring that the contributions of each member have been recognized can make a tremendous impact. Leaders who fail to give others their time in the sun may quickly run into problems that stem from low morale.

Don’t Be Afraid to Listen

While leaders may have a larger role to play, their efforts and contributions are no more or less important than those of their underlings. Failing to establish and maintain a rapport with the entire team is a common mistake, one that could leave a team leader to cut themselves off from a wealth of valuable ideas and unique insights. Good leaders understand that their role is to assist their workers and not the other way around.

Seeking Outside Resources

Teams can accomplish more than individuals, but no one group may possess all of the resources that may be needed. Seeking help from a third-party, working with a Lean Six Sigma consulting company or contracting with other professionals who may be able to augment the insight, abilities and resources of the team can make quite a difference. Knowing when and where to seek additional resources often means that larger problems and challenges may be surmounted with greater ease.

Possessing the right qualities and leadership abilities can provide professionals with the means to advance their career or meet any challenges the future may hold. Learning how to ways to develop leadership skills that will have the biggest impact can be an important initial step. Learning how to better manage a team, direct a group or to inspire individual workers to achieve greater heights can make it that much easier for professionals to go the extra mile.

Emma Sturgis

Emma is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2

Guest Post: 4 HR Factors Your New Company Must Plan for

Human resources professionals work hard to keep workplaces productive and safe. They organize training, create hiring procedures, and coordinate employee benefits. These many responsibilities provide challenges that HR managers must plan to overcome.

Here are four ways HR departments can make positive contributions to their organizations.

Creating a Friendly Environment

Taking proactive steps to build a positive environment can save human resources personnel a lot of headaches. When miscommunications result in tension and blame, HR often must find a way to get things running smoothly again. If the environment becomes toxic, HR managers often become referees.

HR managers can foster a positive environment by properly handling disputes, encouraging positive employee interactions, and training bosses in leadership skills.

Another surprisingly effective technique HR managers favor is creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere through office decoration. Fresh flowers, appealing colors, and artwork make employees feel at home, resulting in a happier, more productive workforce.

How to Handle Disputes

Chandler notes that no matter how positive an office environment may be, occasional disputes are bound to occur. Having a process in place to handle serious disputes allows them to get resolved. The last thing anyone wants is for problems to fester.

HR managers have success with processes that allow employees to talk to higher-ups without fear of retaliation. Simply expressing a confidential opinion should never result in negative consequences. When issues are identified, they can then be appropriately addressed.

Leadership Skills Training

When managers show leadership styles that are positive and productive, a professional, cohesive tone pervades the work environment. When bosses behave in counterproductive ways and display negative leadership qualities, employees become demoralized and disgruntled.

Training is crucial because, despite the best intentions, some bosses simply fail to grasp how they can help create a productive atmosphere. Management training should always emphasize leadership skills, such as giving constructive feedback, setting expectations, and teambuilding.

 

Safety Training Classes

HR departments must always consider their safety training program. Without proper instruction, employees are likely to neglect safety procedures. They may also engage in dangerous practices without realizing it. Safety training provides them with the knowledge they need to perform their jobs with the contentiousness employers have the right to expect.

Many organizations find that the best method of training employees is through a professional training organization. For example, Advanced Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Centre provides extensive training in the operation of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, forklifts, and construction equipment. Third-party training courses offer the advantages of professional instruction and documentation of the company’s compliance with all regulations.

HR departments play a vital role in keeping workplaces functional and safe. By fostering positive work environments and properly training employees, HR managers provide immense value.

 

Anica is a professional content and copywriter from San Francisco, California. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

Director’s Notes-#UnoDeuceQandA

In these Director’s Notes, production director Paul J Schmidt talks about our new Q&A hashtag. If you have questions about this or anything video-related, contact us at 517.292.0095 or unodeuce.com