The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

INSPIRING AND ENCOURAGING / 129

interaction you have. Give them your

full attention whether you are speaking

face-to-face or on the phone. Be

dependable in your daily interactions:

your consistency builds trust and peace

of mind in your team members, freeing

them to focus on their key tasks rather

than worrying about you.

Focusing on the future

Inspiring people is less about delivering

impassioned speeches and having a

forceful personality, and more about

focus and consistency. Treat everyone

you deal with as a valued customer.

Place them at the center of your

universe for the duration of any

Taking opportunities

Think how many opportunities you have in a single

day to interact with your team, colleagues, bosses,

and other stakeholders. Over 100 contacts a day—by

phone, email, face-to-face, etc.—is not unusual for

today’s busy leaders and managers. Each of these

interactions is an opportunity to encourage, inspire,

and make your leadership felt.

When you make every meeting count, you create

thousands of potential advocates for you, your team,

your vision, and your organization. Moments add up

to real commercial gain.

ZAP, DON’T

SAP

At every meeting,

give people a

zap—a quick

burst of energy—

and avoid the

sap—anything

that leaves them

discouraged.

Tip

>>^ Telling someone you enjoy working

with them

>> Smiling at people—sincerely, with

your eyes

>> Thanking others for honest

feedback

Controlling your emotions

>>^ Complaining to someone that you

feel tired or ill

>> Being too shy to enjoy life or try

new things

>>^ Excusing your falling standards

>>^ Demotivating others just because

you feel demotivated

BEING POSITIVE

Do’s Don’ts

Encourage others to enrich

the vision by describing

success in their own terms

Contextualize the vision—

describe when, where, and

with who it will be achieved

US_128-129_Inspiring_and_encouraging.indd 129 31/05/16 5:29 pm