The Space to Succeed

How do you inspire as a leader? One of the most important things is to give your team the space to thrive – using stories, potential, action, collaboration and enthusiasm to help them achieve great things. Here are some tips on how to lead with space:�

Stories – Stories have a powerful ability to communicate. People are wired to connect with stories better than with abstract concepts. How can you incorporate storytelling into your leadership? Share case studies with your team of others who have achieved what you hope to do, and discuss the principles behind the details that led to success. Don’t be afraid to share personal experiences that are applicable to the situation as well, and encourage your team members to share likewise. This will help the team connect on a more personal level. Also, when dealing with numbers and goals, find a way to break these figures down into something more personal and tangible. This too will help your team understand the scale of what you hope to accomplish.�

Potential – A happy employee is a successful employee. Encourage your employees’ potential in their pursuits both on and off the proverbial field, and you set the stage for a thriving venture. Helping employees pursue their interests and talents beyond the office will lead to more fulfilled, happy, whole employees making things happen at your company. Show your employees that you care about them as a person in large and small ways – being flexible with schedules where it makes sense, giving praise, showing an appropriate interest in their lives beyond the cubicle. When people feel secure and cared for, they are more willing to give their best effort to their employer.�

Action – Those who fail to plan plan to fail, as the old adage says. The movers and shakers who make the world turn are those who tread a planned path, one that couples motion with inspiration. What is your vision? What actions are you taking to make it a reality? How are you sharing this with your team? Many companies set a company mission statement or purpose statement that leads their actions as an entity, along with more specific, measurable company goals to achieve annually. Help your employees to share in the vision by setting their own goals of what they plan to accomplish in the year, tying into the overall company mission statement or core values.�

Collaboration – Bring your team into the inner circle by working together, side by side. Employees on every level of your organization have something they can contribute. Be open to ideas from every level – you may be surprised by the insight into your company that an entry-level employee may have. Remember also that newcomers get to look at your company with fresh eyes. They may be your best insight into flaws that merit change. Create an open-door culture by meeting quarterly with different departments for a question-and-answer session or setting office hours in which anyone from the custodial crew to the C-level leaders can come in and discuss ideas.�

Enthusiasm – Suze Ormon once said it’s impossible to inspire unless you’re inspired. It’s so true! Passion and enthusiasm are palpable and infectious. If you have it, it’ll spread on to others. Remember, what your passion is can make a difference with how it affects others. Are you passionate about selling a product because it’ll benefit you? Or because of the solution it presents to your customer’s problems? What are your passions beyond the office? Again, people connect with stories – and they connect with seeing what lights people’s fires. Help your team to see what drives you. Share it in a way that encourages participation and collaboration – hopefully they will catch the vision as well and become as driven as you! �

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