I was speaking with a young engineering manager recently about the ongoing effects of the pandemic on her team’s work and the practices that had helped them stay on track. Her response struck me as a useful reminder for leaders at all levels:
“It’s really helped when my manager or one of the other senior people calls or sends an email to ask how I’m doing or if I need help. So leadership reaching out to individual contributors – I think that’s been really important.“
Under the current conditions of limited options, stretched resources, and waning energies, leaders may wonder what they can do to maintain team cohesion and boost engagement. The answer may be as simple as asking, “How are you doing? How can I be most helpful?”
Even if the answer is “I’m good,” or “I don’t need anything,” the very act of asking is a gift that affirms the team member’s value.And the most amazing thing about gift giving? The giver benefits as much as the receiver.
#teamleadership #teamengagement #teams #leadership #servantleadership
