I’ve worked with leaders who spent very little of their time with their own people in their workplace. Physical interaction wasn’t part of their job.
They weren’t unfriendly, just distant. And isolated.
And weaker as a result.
They never knew what they were missing.
Most failed as leaders.
I’ve also worked with leaders who spent a lot of their time out where their teams worked.
One even preferred to interview job candidates in their own workplace rather than in his office.
These leaders saw things that they’d never see otherwise. The interactions made them stronger.
Knowing and engaging your people is only a third of your job as a leader.
Knowing the work they do, and how your business works is also a third.
The missing third is putting both of those together.
Knowing your people in their own workplace, and using that knowledge to lead better.
By seeing your team at work you know more than they do. They can see their own work but can’t see themselves. You can.
If you don’t work with your team in their workplace they’re missing out, and so are you.
I can’t tell you what you’ll miss, and that’s the point.
Ideas get created there, problems get solved, insights and perspective and wisdom are gained that can’t be got anywhere else.
You might have to make big decisions. Closing down, laying off, building new, shaping old.
Try going to the place affected by your decision before you decide. Meet the people affected. If possible make the final decision there, with them, not far away in an office.
The bigger the impact the more important it is to be where the change happens , not where reports are written. Agreement might be made in a board room but your decision should not.
Make a habit of walking around, out in the field, with customers and with your people. Go to where the action is.
Not just occasionally, like a celebrity visit, but regularly. Part of your weekly routine. You’re visiting enough when you’re not noticed.
Not just the places and people you like, but the places and people you’re not comfortable going to.
If you don’t want to go you probably should.
Your people will always appreciate it, even if close attention from their boss can be uncomfortable.
They’ll know you care about what they do, not just numbers on a screen.
“…by seeing your team at work you know more than they do…”
How often do you spend time in your workplace, or out where the action happens?
Do you spend more time there than in meetings with your own boss?
Are visits formal and staged or relaxed and familiar? Do you even get noticed?
Have you ever changed a plan or decision after seeing where that decision will impact?
How often do you come up with random new ideas while in your team’s workplace?
Do you only go where there are problems or attention required, or to places that don’t make headlines also?
Do you have a big decision coming? Have you visited the place or people that decision will impact?
Is spending time in the workplace a priority you schedule, or a gap filler?
Would you decline a meeting with your boss because you’re with your team?
How many meetings do you have in your space, your office?
Do your people come to you or do you go to them?
Where do you meet?
.
.
“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”