May 24, 2023
It’s not even halfway through Monday and you are already underwater with 7 emails from *that* client 😏, sending your receipts to your bookkeeper, yet another time-sensitive notice from the Department of Labor about your expired Labor Law Posters, and in 10 minutes you have your weekly team meeting. With everything you’ve got going on, it can be hard to find meaning in team leadership.
Being an entrepreneur is undoubtedly overwhelming sometimes, as we all know. It can be hard to see how all of this will one day actually matter. How do you find meaning and stay motivated when you have all the other things to worry about?
Showing up as a leader isn’t just about making tough decisions and having authority; it is a path that offers profound personal rewards. As a CEO and Founder, you have the incredible opportunity to positively impact the lives of those around you. Witnessing the growth and development your impact has on team members is just one fulfilling aspect of leadership. On the hard days, knowing that you are making an impact through your company will help you find meaning in team leadership.
Leadership Impact
As leaders, we have two major impacts on our employees.
The First is economic, by providing employees with the opportunity to work in a safe and secure environment. This involves ensuring fair compensation, offering benefits, and maintaining a workplace that prioritizes physical and psychological well-being.
The second is experiential, leaders have the power to transform the way work feels and looks for employees. By embracing innovative practices, fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, and promoting work-life balance, leaders can shape a work environment that positively impacts employees’ lives.
Effective leadership impacts play a crucial role in determining the success of a business by fostering employees’ well-being and enhancing overall productivity. A skilled leader creates an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated to perform their best, ultimately leading to higher engagement, customer satisfaction, and retention.
Ripple Effect of Leadership
Whether you are aware of the impact you are making or not, the reality is you have a profound impact on your employees, organizations, and society at large. Actions and decisions create waves of influence that extend beyond today and into future iterations of your team and your company culture. When you recognize this impact, you start to find meaning in team leadership in your everyday job.
Some positive ripples you may already be making:
- Setting the standard for healthy work environments
- Providing firsthand experience of what it’s like to work in a positive and supportive atmosphere, so our team can demand it from their future employers.
- Teaching individuals how to advocate for themselves in all aspects of their professional lives
- Enhance the reputation of your company and you as a leader
- Facilitating the retention of culturally aligned employees, making it easier to maintain high levels of engagement and commitment
While focusing on the positive aspects of leadership is essential, it’s important to acknowledge the adverse effects. Many (all?) of us have worked for a bad manager whose impact has been less than ideal, potentially even serving as a driving force behind the decision to start our own businesses.
A negative ripple effect will:
- Affect well-being, morale, and overall job satisfaction.
- Increase stress, anxiety, and decreased motivation among employees.
- Lower productivity of an entire team
- Create legal implications that can result in costly legal proceedings 💰
- Cause long-term mental health issues.
It is important for leaders to recognize the potential negative consequences of their actions and strive to create a positive work environment. Effective leadership plays a crucial role in determining the success of your ripple effect.
Finding Meaning in YOUR Leadership
Good leaders understand the importance of investing time and effort in developing their leadership skills and maintaining a positive company culture that benefits both the employees and the business itself. Remember your experience as a leader matters too. Creating an employee-centric culture means counting yourself in as an important part of that culture.
We are here to help with all things leadership (and HR) be on the lookout for our new management course for all the best ways to be a great leader!
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Links Mentioned:
My Mental Health Story… and more great HR stuff
Find Your Leadership Archetype QUIZ
