Ahh, the aroma of her cookies in the oven was extraordinary! I didn’t get to see my grandmother very often, but I remember her chocolate chip cookies as a highlight of our visits to her home. The whole place felt cozy and inviting, and I felt like a special guest as she finished the last batch of the old fashioned recipe and served them warm. What a lasting and delightful memory!
There are behaviors in leadership that elicit “good feelings,” like grandmother’s cookies. Is there a leader that you enjoy working for or with—just because you like the way you feel when you work together? Maybe it’s that you feel valued as a person; or, you feel respected. It could be that you share a similar sense of humor and it makes the day go well. It’s possible that you “click” for reasons you can’t explain. In any case, there are leaders who connect with people in ways that produce great working relationships as well as great bottom line results. As the American poet, Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
How do you, as a leader, make people feel? Try these techniques to intentionally establish a good connection with people. Your efforts in this area can influence their response to you and their effectiveness on the job.
First, take time to look people straight in the eyes and stop moving about when engaging in conversation. This conveys the value you place on interacting with that individual.
Next, choose appropriate times and places for conversations. For example, sit down together in private and at an unrushed time to discuss job performance. This creates an atmosphere of calm attention; it is respectful to the employee.
Finally, do things that demonstrate care for others. This could be as simple as remembering a birthday or awarding time off for a project well done.
Intentionally choose to create a lasting impression that benefits you, others, and ultimately the viability of your business or organization. Grandmother’s cookies may be an effective reminder to do just that!
Photo by dottieg2007. Dr. Renée N. Hale is founder and president of WellSpirit Consulting Group, Inc.—engaging organizations around the world to get well, stay well, and create positive futures. Visit www.wellspiritconsulting.com today. © 2011 Renée N. Hale
