Empowering Employees to Be Better Leaders: Part 2

Here are three more things you can do as a manager to empower your team to develop stronger skills in leadership and independence.

OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

It’s important that your team members are not only able to grow but they also have the opportunity to pursue their goals and become more involved in the company. This is because employees are the organization’s most important asset.

Aside from regular training, you can also provide various opportunities for growth such as hiring industry experts for lunch-and-learn programs or paying for various forms of formal education. To keep your team members up-to-date with the latest professional development events, you can provide them with a calendar.

GIVE THEM SPACE TO STRUGGLE

Usually, an employee will come to you with a task that they need help with, and you will either be able to assist or provide the necessary resources to complete the task. Although it’s fine to have your managerial duties, it’s also beneficial to encourage your team members to learn how to do their own work.

If an employee needs help with a financial spreadsheet, stop yourself from finishing it yourself and instead ask the finance department to help them. Although it’s not always possible to do everything yourself, give your team members more responsibility and let them finish their tasks. They’ll eventually learn how to do it themselves.

KEEP FEEDBACK LINES OPEN

A good feedback loop is very important for any company as it can help improve employee performance and develop a more effective team. Unfortunately, only 2% of employers provide ongoing feedback to employees, despite the importance of continuous communication.

One of the most effective ways to improve employee communication is by regularly meeting with them in an informal setting. This type of interaction can help you identify areas of improvement and develop a plan for the individual. Having a quarterly meeting can also help employees feel comfortable talking about their concerns.

With these habits and skills, your employees will learn to manage their schedules and solve their own problems while building positive relationships. Cultivating leadership qualities in your team will set you and your company up for smooth succession over time and will help employees remain committed to pursuing their own professional development goals.

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Originally published at JimmyLustig.com

Empowering Employees to Be Better Leaders: Part 1

Aside from the employee, the employer also has a role in developing and promoting their employees. Having a well-rounded and engaged workforce is very important for businesses, as it increases employee productivity and engagement. Having the right people in place can also help make transitions easier.

Developing effective leadership skills is very important for both the employee and the company. Here are several strategies that can help improve employee performance.

ENCOURAGE NETWORKING

It’s important that employees are taught how to network as soon as possible, as these skills can help them excel in their careers. Even if you don’t have a lot of events, you can still start small by encouraging your leaders to attend company events. Besides networking events, you can also help your leaders develop other skills by branching out and meeting new people.

Encourage your leaders to attend company events as they get more comfortable, and they can then participate in various industry-wide and community events. These will allow them to build strong connections and develop the skills they need to succeed in their future leadership roles.

BE A MENTOR

Developing strong relationships with your mentees is also important, as it can help them develop their skills and improve their performance. Having the right people in place can additionally help them improve their leadership abilities. One of the most important factors that you can consider when it comes to developing effective leadership skills is establishing a mentorship program.

Aside from being beneficial for new hires, a mentorship program can also help current employees develop their skills and improve their performance. One of the most effective ways to do this is to establish a job shadow program or mentorship between team members. This type of leadership development can help improve the performance of both the organization and its employees.

One of the most effective ways to boost employee performance and improve the company’s culture is by implementing cross-training. This type of training is very affordable and can help prepare employees for various roles.

TEACH HELPFUL SKILLS

As you dole out assignments and projects, take some time to consider the various duties that your managers have. These include planning and implementing projects, performing various tasks, and leading the company. Having these skills can help your employees move up in their careers.

Other duties that your team members may not have much experience with can also be considered. For instance, you may have to oversee projects and meetings that involve managing other people. Having the necessary skills to do these tasks can help make your team members more effective.

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Originally published at JimmyLustig.com

The Best Charities Supporting Ukraine Relief

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched airstrikes against the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as well as other parts of the country. This sudden escalation has caused millions of Ukrainian citizens to leave their homes and flee their country with no place else to go, not knowing if they’ll ever be able to safely return. The citizens of Ukraine are currently in dire circumstances and support is needed across the board. This is where a multitude of nonprofit organizations have come in, doing everything in their power to help the citizens of Ukraine by providing food, clothing, and safe places to sleep at night. Many nonprofits are accepting donations that are going directly to Ukrainian citizens but sometimes it’s hard to determine which organizations are best. Here are a few of the top nonprofits providing relief to Ukraine.

International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps has been working to provide medical, mental health, and protection services to the people affected by the war in Ukraine. Some of the ways the organization is helping include providing medical supplies such as PPE in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as offering gender-based violence response services for women, children, and others who tend to face risks during these kinds of conflicts.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen is currently providing thousands of meals to people who have fled their homes as well as those who have chosen to stay in Ukraine. WCK arrived on the scene within days of the initial invasion and began feeding families who were traveling long distances to flee the country, as well as mobilizing local restaurants in order to feed those still in the country by utilizing railway systems and hospitals, as well as even delivering them directly to people in their homes.

Save The Children

Save the Children provides immediate aid to the families affected by the war, such as food, water, hygiene kits, and cash assistance. They’ve been operating in Ukraine since 2014, doing what they can to make sure children have access to education, psychosocial support, and much more. Their site states that for every $100 donated, they’re able to provide a month’s worth of nutritious food to a family in crisis.

How Leaders Can Help Their Employees Thrive – Part Two

In a previous blog post, I began a discussion about how leaders can help their employees thrive in the workplace. In 2022, employees are much more aware of how they can be treated better at their jobs, and most if not all have higher job satisfaction expectations than they did twenty years ago. Much of this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the way it has shaken up the way many organizations do business. So without further ado, let’s dive back into it.

Acknowledge Burnout

According to the World Health Organization, employee burnout is a real issue that’s acknowledged globally. Today’s employees need more support and encouragement to help them perform at their best. Unfortunately, many companies still don’t provide this type of support.

The rise of the talent wars has raised the value of employees, and the pandemic gave many people the final push to look for a new job. Today’s employees want more support and recognition for their efforts, and that doesn’t always mean higher compensation.

Remote working can be very disruptive to a company, especially for managers who find it harder to maintain a team and create a culture of trust. They also tend to get overwhelmed by the demands of the work.

To make sure that their employees are comfortable and engaged, managers should provide opportunities for them to connect with their co-workers. They should also promote a time to disconnect and a focus on wellness. Unfortunately, there are no perfect solutions to managing remote work.

Recognition Is Important

One of the most important factors that can help boost employee engagement is recognition. According to studies, people who feel valued are more likely to be motivated.

To make sure that employees are acknowledged for their achievements, formal recognition programs should be established in the workplace. These can help boost both the visibility and the effort of the employees.

Have your employees take the time to regularly submit their goals and interests to their managers. Before having meetings with them, be sure to refresh yourself on their specific goals so you can check in and see how they’re doing. This feedback mechanism can help boost the level of care that employees feel for their work. It can also help create a culture of well-being.

How Leaders Can Help Their Employees Thrive – Part One

The pandemic has many managers focused on improving their performance indicators instead of people. This has created a host of new challenges that they have to deal with. Aside from these, the skills shortages also mean that retaining talent is a priority.

Despite the challenges that the pandemic has created, it’s also an opportunity for managers to grow and shine. Many professionals have found themselves becoming burnt out over the past two years, and many attribute it to poor leadership within their organization. If leaders want to truly stand out, it’s important that they care about their employees and help them thrive. Happy employees typically mean higher quality work, which means a more successful organization. Read on for a few ways you can help your employees thrive.

Re-evaluate How You Recruit

While it’s important to maintain a robust recruitment process, managers should also evaluate their strategies and techniques to make sure that they’re meeting the new challenges of the pandemic. Some of the changes that will be required include implementing new interview procedures and improving soft skills.

The increasing number of virtual and hybrid work environments has created new challenges for both the interviewer and the interviewee. Aside from being beneficial for the candidate, these environments also introduce new skills that both parties should be able to master.

While it’s still important to thoroughly vet a potential hire, it’s also important to make sure that they’re culturally fit. One of the first steps that an interviewer should take is to thoroughly check the references.

It’s also important that hiring managers thoroughly understand the company’s core values and culture. Having the right mix of these components will help attract and retain talent. Having the right mix of people can help keep employees engaged and productive.

The first impression that a potential employee gets is very important, and hiring managers play a vital role in establishing the company’s culture. With the changes that have occurred in the last two years, it’s important that the company’s values align with the new priorities of its employees.

Retention Is Key

Despite the importance of attracting high-quality talent, it’s also important that companies implement strategies to retain their employees. High turnover can be very detrimental to a company’s success. It can lead to employees quitting and starting afresh.

Good managers involve their employees in shaping a company’s culture, and they should also be able to facilitate their development. One of the best ways to develop and retain employees is through cross-functional mentorship programs. These programs expose them to different parts of the company and its people.

It’s up to the managers to determine if their company’s recruitment and employee retention strategies reflect the expectations of their employees and the changes that they’re going through. In the new remote work era, it’s important to develop strategies that are geared toward making the employees feel valued and included.

The Best Leadership Podcasts of 2022

When you’re in a leadership role, you may often look to other successful leaders to help form a better idea of how you should lead. While there are many great books to read about leadership, it can be hard to read a lot in our busy modern society. That’s where podcasts come in. Podcasts have made it easier than ever for successful leaders to share their knowledge and experience with those trying to learn more, and they can be listened to while doing daily activities such as driving or cooking. Since there are so many great podcasts out there, we’ve chosen to talk about a few great ones in this article.

Dare To Lead – Brené Brown

Based on Brené’s book, Dare to Lead, this is the ultimate leadership podcast for anyone looking to become a great leader. In each episode, she talks with some of the most influential individuals in the world about what it means to be a great leader.

Girlboss Radio – Puno

ILoveCreatives founder Puno is here to help budding thought leaders and out-of-the-box thinkers define what success looks like. She talks with leaders from different industries and walks of life to help them realize that success can be more than just numbers and dollars.

The Man Enough Radio – Justin Baldoni, Liz Plank & Jamey Heath

In The Man Enough Podcast, Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, and journalist and author Liz Plank talk about what it means to be a man in today’s world. They also talk about how traditional masculinity can negatively affect all of us.

The hosts of The Man Enough Radio sit down with celebrities and thought leaders to talk about how messages of masculinity can manifest in our relationships and success.

People & Performance Podcast – Chris Bjorling & Bill Banham

The People and Performance Podcast was launched in 2021. It aims to help organizations improve the performance of their employees by analyzing the various factors that affect their success. Each episode is only 15 to 20 minutes and focuses on a different aspect of workforce planning, and it is meant to help you master the various steps needed to create a successful workforce.

Benefits and Wellness Superhero Podcast – Roger Thorpe

The Benefits and Wellness Superhero is a new podcast that aims to help organizations improve the mental and physical health of their employees. It’s hosted by Roger Thorpe and features a symposium that’s designed to help leaders and HR professionals understand the various options available to them so they can offer their employees better wellness options in order to ultimately make them happier and produce better results.

Tips for Starting a Nonprofit

If you’re passionate about helping those in need and have the means to do so, starting a nonprofit can be a wonderful endeavor to look into. While starting your own nonprofit is a noble cause, it’s not as easy as you may think. Just like launching a business, nonprofits require extensive planning and logistics in order to get them off the ground and begin making a meaningful impact with them. Read on for a few tips to help you start your own nonprofit organization. 

Research Is Important

No matter how you look at it, your nonprofit is to compete with other organizations for donations and grants. To succeed, you need to fulfill a need that isn’t being met by other organizations. Before you start a new nonprofit, conduct a comprehensive study to find out how many people would benefit from it.

Create A Business Plan

After you’ve thoroughly analyzed and fine-tuned your idea, it’s time to create a nonprofit business plan. This should include the details of the mission and the people who would be involved in running the organization. It should also include the cost of starting and running the nonprofit, as well as the various steps involved in fundraising.

The business plan is very important to starting a nonprofit because it helps you identify areas of weakness in your idea and provides a roadmap for future steps.

Develop The Right Team

While you’ll obviously be involved, you can’t run your nonprofit all by yourself. In order to run a successful nonprofit, you’ll need to recruit an executive director who has the necessary skills and experience to lead the organization. You’ll also need to find people who are like-minded and passionate about what you’re trying to accomplish.

Think About How You’ll Raise Awareness

Getting started with a nonprofit is similar to marketing for a retail business. Having the proper awareness and support early on is very important to ensure that your organization is successful. It can also help build support for your mission and inspire others to do the same.

Having the proper awareness and support early on can also help raise funds for your organization. It can also help you expand your reach and attract more donors. Having a well-rounded and accurate understanding of your organization’s work can also help you meet the requirements of various grants and donations.

Tips for Getting Involved With Your Community

One of the most enriching experiences a person can have is getting involved in their community. If you’re choosing to live somewhere, you often want that place to be a happy, healthy community where you and your loved ones can thrive. Getting involved and making a difference is a great way to make sure that’s the case. The great thing is that getting involved in your community can come in various forms. Here are a few tips to help you get more involved with your community.

Volunteer

There are likely so many great organizations in your community that you can get involved with, whether you know it or not. If you’re interested in helping those in need, head over to your local food bank or soup kitchen.

If you’re not sure about how to get involved, think about the things you’re passionate about and start there. For instance, if you love animals and want to help others, consider volunteering as a dog walker for a local animal shelter.

Shop Locally

With giant corporations constantly looming over us, it can be easy to go to your local Target or Walmart when you need certain goods, whether it be food, clothes, or something else. If you’re looking for a way to be involved and further enrich your community, try shopping locally. Maybe you have a local farmer’s market or a mom-and-pop video game store in your town. Try to buy there instead of going to the bigger corporations, that way you can support your neighbor and ultimately build a strong community for everyone.

Take A Class

Getting involved in a class is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. It doesn’t matter what type of class you choose as long as it’s something that makes you happy. For example, taking a pottery class can help you meet other like-minded individuals while also adding something new to your skillset that you can potentially use to give back to the community. Taking a local class is also another way to shop local, in a sense, as you’ll likely be supporting someone else in the community with your class fees.

Attend Local Events

Keep an eye out for local news stations and newspaper articles about upcoming events. There are so many great things going on in your community, and it’s always a good idea to check them out. This could be a local sporting event, a concert, an art gallery, and so much more. This can not only support creatives, athletes, and more in your community, but you may find yourself with a new favorite band or learning more about a culture you weren’t very knowledgeable about.

Great Leader Books Worth Reading in 2022

Leadership is something that is constantly evolving, especially in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken most organizations to their core, and people have begun to expect more from the people in charge in a way that hasn’t happened before. Since leadership is always changing, it’s important that leaders themselves are constantly learning and improving their abilities in order to keep up and help their organizations and employees thrive. A great way to do this is to read what other leaders have to say on the topic. Here are a few of the best books on leadership to check out in 2022.

Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek draws inspiration from various military principles in his book, Leaders Eat Last. One of these is the concept of high-ranking officers eating after their men.

In his book, Sinek states that the most successful organizations are those that have a culture of trust and psychological safety. This concept has been shown to be very effective in various organizations around the world.

Minority Leader: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change – Stacey Abrahams

In her book, Representative Abrahms gives readers step-by-step instructions on how to lead as an outsider and make real change in their organizations. Both an instruction manual and a memoir of her own experiences, Minority Leader assists readers in developing skills and finding their passion as a leader by discussing topics such as overcoming failure and embracing otherness.

Leadership: Theory and Practice – Peter G. Northouse

This book is a comprehensive guide for new leaders, providing them with a wide range of academic and evidence-based learnings. It’s also a great resource for managers who are looking to make a mark. Northouse covers various traits and behaviors related to leadership in this book, and it’s a must-read for anyone looking to improve their skills and make a difference within their organization.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead – Sheryl Sanderson

Facebook executive and author Sheryl Sanderson’s book is a great resource for women who are looking to improve their leadership skills. It details the various ways women have held back and ultimately lose career opportunities by being passive and polite. She encourages women to seek out strong mentors and advocate for themselves in order to transform themselves into leaders.

Conscious Leadership: Elevating Humanity Through Business – John Mackey, Steve Mcintosh, Carter Phipps

John Mackey’s book, which is a manifesto for ethical business practice, encourages leaders to adopt values and beliefs that are aligned with their organization’s mission. It also advocates for purpose-based leadership. Mackey is the founder of Whole Foods and has spent his career with a commitment to sustainability, integrity, and compassion, and his book urges leaders to serve as role models not only within their organization but in their wider community.

Tips for Networking as a Leader

Despite its positive impact on career development and personal growth, professional networking rarely gets the attention it deserves. It can be neglected by mid and senior-level professionals who believe that their network is adequate.

Getting the most out of professional networking is very important for everyone, especially those who are looking to advance their careers and become leaders. Having a well-established network can help you reach your goals and improve your personal and professional growth. Here are a few ways both current and aspiring leaders can improve their networks.

Get More Involved In Your Workplace

Getting involved in company meetings can be a powerful way to build connections and promote your interests. It can also help you develop a deeper understanding of the work of others.

One of the most effective ways to build a network is by finding a mentor or team member who has been in your position in the past. This can help you develop a deeper understanding of the people around you.

Look Into Mentorship

Many people understand the value of mentorship. It can help them develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their career. Through a mentor, the mentee can learn from their mistakes and experiences.

Aside from being able to improve the relationship between the mentor and the mentee, the two can also benefit from each other. First, by reflecting on their own career, the mentor can help guide the mentee in developing a stronger and more balanced career.

The mentor-mentee relationship can last for decades. In today’s world, many people do not stay at the same company for their entire careers. Through mentorship, a mentor can help develop a network of like-minded individuals who will eventually go on to work at various organizations.

Take Advantage of Conferences and Other Events

The professional world constantly offers networking opportunities in the form of conferences or certain professional associations. These can be a great way for you to mingle with professionals regardless of the industry you’re in and potentially provide you with new resources to improve your own career.

Aside from allowing you to meet other professionals, participating in a conference or other networking event can also help you establish yourself as an expert in your field.