The higher up you go in an organization, the more important is to connect with your employees on a personal level. Show people you work with that there is more to your relationship than the job. Here are three ways to forge these connections:
- Give your undivided attention. This sounds simple, but it’s easy to overlook when you are overloaded with ringing phones and packed inboxes. In conversations, put everything down and focus exclusively on what’s being said.
- Remember emotions are contagious. If you’re feeling particularly anxious or negative, make an effort to quarantine yourself. When you’re feeling especially buoyant, go to more meetings and spend more time with others.
- Get out there. Even if you’re an introvert, reach out to people, engage them in discussion, and actively provide feedback. You can’t connect from behind a closed office door.
Adapted from “Three Ways Leaders Make Emotional Connections” by Scott Edinger.
