As a leader, be mindful of the examples you set for your team. Avoid rewarding incompetence or mistakenly recognising the wrong person. Also, steer clear of creating a culture where those who try to solve a problem end up getting blamed or burdened with the task going forward. This kind of behaviour can discourage your team from helping each other.
Continual learning and training is crucial for not just yourself but your team. It helps to establish the right culture and keep everyone up-to-date on new skills and techniques.
Missing deadlines can have severe consequences. Stay organized, communicate clearly, and ensure that you and your team meet all deadlines.
Improving your position involves more than just job performance. Sleeping well, eating healthily, and exercising regularly can improve your physical and mental health, which can help you perform better at work.
Think ahead and position yourself for your next role. Develop your skills, network, and experience to become the ideal candidate when the opportunity arises.
Discipline is key to achieving success. Make discipline a habit, and your efforts will compound over time, resulting in better outcomes and accomplishments.
Be proactive and biased towards taking action. Waiting for the perfect moment can lead to missed opportunities.
Having fun at work is important, and it can make you more approachable to your team. People want to work with fun people.
Adopt a positive attitude and be the first to take action. Read Peter Kaufman’s speech to the California Polytechnic State University Pomona Economics Club for inspiration.
Lead by example: Set the tone for the team by modeling the behaviors and attitudes you expect from others. If you want people to be punctual, be punctual yourself. If you want people to take ownership of their work, show them how you take ownership of your own tasks.
Communicate clearly: Make sure everyone on the team understands what is expected of them and what their role is in achieving the team’s goals. Check in regularly to provide feedback and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Build relationships: Take the time to get to know your team members as individuals. Show interest in their lives outside of work and find ways to connect with them on a personal level. This will help build trust and create a more positive work environment.
Foster creativity and innovation: Encourage your team to come up with new ideas and approaches to challenges. Provide the resources and support they need to test out new concepts and take calculated risks.
Celebrate successes: Take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of your team members. This can be as simple as a verbal thank you or a public acknowledgement in a team meeting. Celebrating successes helps build morale and reinforces positive behaviors.
Learn from failures: When things don’t go as planned, take the time to reflect on what went wrong and what could be done differently next time. Encourage your team to do the same and create a culture where mistakes are viewed as opportunities to learn and grow.