Looking back on this beautiful time in our lives, fond memories predominated. A stark contrast to what we are experiencing now. As a first-year university student, lectures and tutorials are online only. Mandatory social distancing from fellow students and lecturers. How differently the start of her student life, which she looked forward to so much, is unfolding. Fortunately, she has a good foundation to fall back on. In addition, there is the warm embrace of the Waldorf school, where she built lifelong friendships and learned a great deal about treating one's fellow man with respect and the importance of a sustainable environment. Valuable insights that she now desperately needs to understand and respect the Covid measures.
Moreover, the cabinet of tangible memories has since been cleared out, and I am sitting at my workspace reflecting on what lies in that cabinet that is useful in this unyielding reality. What can you do to keep the focus on fun, on tomorrow, on a sunny future in these times?
And it's simple, I just had it in my hands: I want to dance!
The seven-way jump
Furthermore, for every improvement (feel free to read: mind shift in corona times) that you want to tackle, you must consider who you want to involve. Invite people in your immediate circle to think along with you about the approach to that improvement.
And that's one!
Determine how involved you feel in the area for improvement or innovation. This is an important step to achieve your intrinsic motivation for improvement.
And that's two!
Next, consider the factors that will influence the step towards DOING, the so-called facilitating (opportunities) and hindering factors (obstacles). Devise actions on how you can use the opportunities as a motivator and devise actions to reduce or prevent obstacles. And if obstacles are insurmountable, you can decide to address the point for improvement later or not at all.
And that's three!
Formulate your goal SMART, it helps to commit to achieving the goal. So it's about ownership and taking responsibility.
And that's four!
Also, get to work, DO IT!
And that's five!
It is wonderful to be actively engaged with a clear goal in mind. Keep a close eye on the actions you have planned and the schedule. Choose a moment for reflection, for example after 6 weeks, to evaluate. In short, this is necessary for the sustainable implementation of your improvement. Do not hesitate to adjust your plan with new actions. Other obstacles may have come your way, and there are always new opportunities to be seen.
And that six!
By the way, the quality circle of your improvement is complete. Invite the same people who helped you think about the improvement and analyze together what you have achieved. The difference is more visible to them than to you. However, your perception has been influenced by going through the steps. You have learned what is needed to be able to dance. They see that you can dance again! That makes you and those around you happy!
And that's seven!
Dancing is wonderful. May I show you the way to your unforgettable dance?
Heard and helping people grow
Therefore, the core of good leadership is getting the best out of your people. That starts with understanding what drives each team member and where his or her talents lie. Not everyone is motivated by the same things. One employee wants autonomy, another seeks recognition, and yet another thrives on new challenges.
As a manager, it is your task to recognize those individual drivers and align your approach accordingly. A personal development conversation is a good tool for this. Not the formal performance review, but an open dialogue about ambitions, needs, and possibilities. Teams in which employees feel seen and heard perform demonstrably better.
After all, are you ready to strengthen your skills? Our Coaching Leadership training at Kenneth Smit offers practical tools that you can apply as early as tomorrow.
