How to Create Relationship Balance with your Subordinates
My 5 leadership tips exposed
Being at the head or someone people can look up to is a thing of glory and it commands a sort of aura for you. And it makes utmost sense when there is the availability of people who can get a lot of things achieved for you with just instructions, or by their understanding of what they feel you will do when you are not around.
You can be ahead of people in the office or social cycle but lacks the influence to make them get things done or buy into your dreams. And the core of leadership lies in influence — having managed mini to big projects I can beat my chest to this. People love someone they can follow, in fact, they hope for someone to take the lead, and will not move if you do not move them. They need to find a reason when you ask them to move, they should move, and what makes you that leader is in your ability to command such influence.
In trying to command an influence to build a healthy relationship that will enhance them and also give you what you expected from them should be drawn. I can mention this because I lead a social and volunteer group at the moment. And I will mention the tips I have seen that put a smile on the faces of the people I lead. The rule is for everyone to be happy and productive.
As a leader, it is best to be the one who wants to make everyone smile.
Here are my personal tips that have helped me gain relationship balance between myself and the people I lead.
Tip #1
Be a source of hope
Aside from the fact that you lead these people to be productive or achieve a personal goal. It is good you understand that they are humans with various human needs that ought to be met and attended to.
Sometimes they doubt themselves and are often intimidated by your status. One way I have penetrated the hearts of the people I led is to give them personal hope.
I use words like, “I know you will definitely make it,” “I have watched you achieve x, I know you can also achieve y, just keep trying,” “I believe you can do this,” and “trust me, this will be over and you will even come out better.”
Those words are turbo charges and make them believe in themselves more and above all, I use them to massage their ego.
Even when there is no reason to believe in them, just assure them that you believe in them. With such statements, they will understand you are human and understands their feelings as they do.
This in return makes them believe in you without a doubt. Especially when they are out from whatever might be the challenge.
Tip #2
Smile and make jokes where and when necessary
Smiling with your subordinates doesn’t make you unserious or weak. But then while doing so, it has to be when necessary and on the most unexpected occasions — so you don’t appear predictable.
As a leader, you should know when the time should be right for this. Smile and make them feel comfortable around you.
The psychology of this is this, “people would find it easier to work with a friend than they would do with a boss.” Even if you are their boss, give them a sense of friendship.
Tip #3
Avoid being biased
Obviously, as a leader some persons, overtime becomes endearing to you. Because they are very productive and need little to no guidance before they get things done. Or there is just this connection between you and them (as a leader I can tell you this too).
You have to be very sensitive and careful with those people with whom you have developed all that emotional attachment, so they won’t take such an advantage to abuse others or abuse the relationship. More so, leadership is about facts and reasons than emotions.
Anybody that needs to be rebuked, let the person be rebuked for others to learn. And it should be within the standards and stated principles guiding the body or institution. Do not give room for others to perceive that your approach has a preferential tone.
Though in the reward system, this does not count. It is a matter of personal contributions and development, but let your subordinates understand this for them to be motivated to get better.
Tip #4
Be versatile
Do not allow your subordinates to know what your major interest is. Let them perceive you to be one who has general knowledge of what is bringing you all together and other aspects of life (you should have a vast knowledge though).
You do not need to know everything, but just have an idea about everything that will help you keep pace with the conversation. Whether it is in the brainstorming sessions or just your casual conversations get involved in it, even if you are not contributing majorly, ask smart questions and add to your knowledge.
You know why I feel you should know a lot. If they know you to be so much interested in some particular area, you may get ‘false loyalty’ from your subordinates, people who will try to penetrate you through what you love.
Tip #5
Make the boundaries clear
When you are jovial, also learn to make your subordinates see the thin line they mustn’t cross with or around you. This will command respect.
And you don’t have to do this through shouts or clamour but your attitude and sanctions can spell everything to them.
Everyone understands their limits with you, and what they need to do as at when they have to do it. When you do this correctly, they will listen to you when you speak.
And this should be my last tip.
I will emphasize flexible leadership rather than one who is dishing orders from up there. From my experience, I can say that a relationship leadership trend from the bottom to the top always works better. And even when I have left that office we all still have a reason to come together and smile.
Always remember that your status makes you command the level of respect you command or you feel you do from your subordinates. Take that away, and you discover some of them maybe be better than you. So, be more of a friend than you will be a boss.
