Leaders sometimes believe they need to have all the answers and get everything right all the time. They think that since they’re in a leadership role, they’re not allowed to make mistakes. However, when leaders buy into these self-limiting beliefs, they make it harder for others to develop their potential. If bosses want to help their people grow, they need to give themselves the grace to try new things and mess up sometimes.
This can be difficult, though. Alaina Love, CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting, says that today’s leaders are working in a world without a playbook. They need to deliver business results while helping their team members find more meaning and purpose in their daily work. The secret to doing this? Leading with authenticity, she says.
In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share Love’s guidance on how leaders can give themselves more permission so they can, in turn, give the same to others.
Don’t expect perfection from yourself. When you allow yourself to be imperfect, Love says you give your team permission to come to you with their mistakes before they become unresolvable.
Give yourself room to gain clarity. This is key when you’re trying to solve a problem. When you give yourself permission to ask questions and explore possible outcomes, you help your team members learn to think things through before rushing into a solution or next step.
Let yourself dream. When you do, you give your team a chance to innovate, Love says. Also, keep in mind that rigidity and narrow thinking crushes innovation, while bold thinking inspires it.
Extend more trust to your team. Some leaders like to dictate all the details, but it can be helpful to empower your team to work with autonomy. By doing so, you allow them to provide their best work because they know that you trust them.
Make more time to listen. When you do, Love says you invite your team to share ideas and encourage diverse voices to be heard. By fostering inclusiveness, you co-create a better future.
Prioritize downtime. According to Love, it’s important to give yourself permission to relax so that your team feels comfortable recharging. As a result, you’ll be in a better position to laugh together and celebrate more often, which can make the experience of work more meaningful.
By giving yourself more grace as a leader, you not only become a better boss, but you also help your team members grow in their roles. When they know they have space to try new things and they don’t need to be perfect, they’ll progress professionally. As a result, you’ll be building a high-achieving team that lives up to its full potential.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Alaina Love is CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting and co-author of The Purpose Linked Organization: How Passionate Leaders Inspire Winning Teams and Great Results. She is a global speaker and leadership expert with Fortune 500 clients.