Today's business landscape is more challenging than ever with several generations and cultures working alongside. So how can you lead well and build 'Rich Relationships' for greater engagement and team communication?

Focus on the basic building blocks for leadership - strong people skills. Think of what you earned in grade school grammar - 'A E I O U and sometimes Y' - the foundational letters - the building blocks of words we know as vowels.

Just as it takes vowels to form the words we use, it takes these people strategies to create a foundation for productive and engaged teams.

Tips for Effective Leadership:

1. AFFIRM Use the 5 communication 'dialects’ that show you value someone; fill their emotional tank regularly with: words of affirmation, appropriate touch, quality time, gifts, acts of service- aka 'the 5 Love Languages' by Gary Chapman. (A must read.)

Such sincere and regular affirming will build trust, engagement, and will instill confidence making it easier for constructive criticism to be just that - constructive and applied.

2. ENCOURAGE/Empower Acknowledge challenges, but remind members of their strengths and their ability to choose better outcomes. Give positive feedback to negative feedback 2:1.

Once you let someone share their struggles, recommend and provide the resources and tools to help them better navigate those challenges and ask them to commit to the next step.

3. INVOLVE others in the problem-solving/solution-gathering process. Help team members believe that they are capable by providing the freedom to choose one's steps and method as long as it's within budget. Independence and involvement often inspire.

4. OWNERSHIP Hold members accountable to their own solutions, yet, do so with kindness, concern, care and tolerance. Set specific, measurable goals and time frames, yet be a servant leader who will roll-up your sleeves and work alongside when deadlines are tight or the workload is maxed out.

5. UNDERSTANDING Make it clear that each person within the group should apply the principle 'Seek first to Understand,'(promoted by Jesus, made popular by Covey.) Be the first to model stepping back to consider the context from which someone is speaking or perceiving the situation. Consider the other person's perspective, then respond with care and concern to redirect inappropriate or negative comments.

YOU Are YOU influencing others positively? Consider this Management Proverb:
He who thinks he is leading, but finds no one following, is only taking a walk.

Author's Bio: 

Coach and National Speaker, Sandy R. Lawrence has motivated a variety of audiences, introducing and translating complex concepts into simple steps that support workplace and personal success. As a coach and instructional designer, Sandy has affected a 50% to 400% increase in sales revenue and goal attainment for over 500 business leaders and organizations.

A versatile and engaging facilitator and speaker, she is a subject matter expert in:

* Leadership and Influence
* Performance Management and Motivation
* Sales and Marketing Management
* Team Communication and Engagement

As a consultant, Sandy R. Lawrence is hired to clarify vision and priorities, and to provide solutions that align resources, talent and efforts. Services include insightful professional assessments, surveys and personal coaching. To hire Sandy Lawrence for your next event call 1-404-841-7800 or email selfgrowth@realintouch.com