Leadership: What I've Learned
I've been a supervisor now for almost a year. Though some of these things I had a general knowledge of previously as just a worker, here are the lessons I've learned and truths that were revealed to me about leadership. And always remember...Jesus is the perfect example of leadership; after all, He is perfection.
Communication Makes or Breaks
This is one of the things I had a general idea about as a busser, but as a supervisor - the middle-man between the managers and the employees - I saw just how deep the impact of failed or great communication is. I've seen disasters due to poor or nonexistent communication, and I've determined to not let that happen...or at least, as much as I can possibly prevent it. In order to try and avoid those disasters, I try to consistently over-communicate, because personally, I'd rather hear something three times and know for sure what is going on than have no one tell me anything and deal with a mess. Even if you're not sure if it's important, tell them anyway - because if they did have to know it and you didn't tell them, they will be frustrated with you and that never helps any relationship, work or otherwise. Nor will it help give your company a good image.
Love Your Employees
"The greatest of these is love" is true; of course it is, it's in the Bible...but do we always remember that and live like that? (No, of course not, because we're human and imperfect...but we can try!) It's true in the workplace, for sure! I have around 40 or so employees in my department and I love each of them. Yes, some of them have a habit or attitude (or two or three!) that can drive me crazy and get in the way of them doing their job properly, but I love them anyway. Each of them has at least one thing that I really appreciate and love about them and make me glad that they work there and that I get to work with them. When you can look past your employees' shortcomings and not see them when you see the person, you love your employees. The impact of that is not only your obedience as a Christian to the commands of Christ to love one another, but it also builds a true relationship and trust. I can't explain enough the importance of loving your employees.
Good Intentions Can Backfire
Even if you do something to be nice to someone, they very well may yell at your instead. As an example, one day at customer service an African-American man came up with some smoked meats he wanted to buy but then he disappeared and so one of the workers decided to put it in a bag and place it back in the cooler until he came back so that it would be kept cold for him. When he finally did come back, she went and got it for him and he began yelling at her for being racist, etc. And you're completely right, that makes no sense, but people in general do not, because we are human and we sin. So if you do something to be nice for someone and they turn around and hate you for it, don't let it get to you. Sometimes our best is not good enough for people and there isn't anything you can do to change people; often there is something in them that is hurting and their world is discolored by evil and whatever it is doing in their lives. Instead of getting upset over it (which I know is very hard), be thankful you don't see life through the very discouraging, hateful and awful lens that they apparently see through all the time.
Don't Pick Up and Keep Burdens
If you stack up and carry burdens you'll break. People will come to you and tell you about this problem at work, what they're dealing with at home, their health problems, etc. etc. etc. You can't pick them up and keep them or you will drown in things you aren't meant to deal with. What you have to learn to do is listen with all of your heart, let it bleed while they speak, respond appropriately, and give it to God. He is the fixer of all things, He alone redeems and brings beauty from what looks like ashes, so why carry what you can't do anything about when He can? Give it to Him in prayer and let go. Ask them for updates but don't let things swallow you whole. God's shoulders are infinitely broader than ours; don't carry the weight of the world when you can give it to the One who created the world.
Trust is the Heaviest Burden of All
Of all responsibilities, the trust of others is undoubtedly the heaviest. One thing that astonishes me about my job and my position is how much my employees trust me (at least most of them). My relationship with my employees is truly a blessing from God. But it is a heavy burden! When you hold someone's trust, be careful with it. It's easy to drop and watch shatter on the ground, but shattered glass takes a while to melt back together - and it never looks just like it did before. Be honest with your mistakes; apologize when you mess up, even if it's something small like speaking with a short or harsh tone because you're stressed. Your employees know you're human and you're not perfect, and they appreciate your acknowledgement of that fact. It's give and take - treat your employees the best you know how, and they will give back to you in a way that not only blesses you, but benefits the company. (Example: "Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients." - Richard Branson)
Communication Makes or Breaks
This is one of the things I had a general idea about as a busser, but as a supervisor - the middle-man between the managers and the employees - I saw just how deep the impact of failed or great communication is. I've seen disasters due to poor or nonexistent communication, and I've determined to not let that happen...or at least, as much as I can possibly prevent it. In order to try and avoid those disasters, I try to consistently over-communicate, because personally, I'd rather hear something three times and know for sure what is going on than have no one tell me anything and deal with a mess. Even if you're not sure if it's important, tell them anyway - because if they did have to know it and you didn't tell them, they will be frustrated with you and that never helps any relationship, work or otherwise. Nor will it help give your company a good image.
Love Your Employees
"The greatest of these is love" is true; of course it is, it's in the Bible...but do we always remember that and live like that? (No, of course not, because we're human and imperfect...but we can try!) It's true in the workplace, for sure! I have around 40 or so employees in my department and I love each of them. Yes, some of them have a habit or attitude (or two or three!) that can drive me crazy and get in the way of them doing their job properly, but I love them anyway. Each of them has at least one thing that I really appreciate and love about them and make me glad that they work there and that I get to work with them. When you can look past your employees' shortcomings and not see them when you see the person, you love your employees. The impact of that is not only your obedience as a Christian to the commands of Christ to love one another, but it also builds a true relationship and trust. I can't explain enough the importance of loving your employees.
Good Intentions Can Backfire
Even if you do something to be nice to someone, they very well may yell at your instead. As an example, one day at customer service an African-American man came up with some smoked meats he wanted to buy but then he disappeared and so one of the workers decided to put it in a bag and place it back in the cooler until he came back so that it would be kept cold for him. When he finally did come back, she went and got it for him and he began yelling at her for being racist, etc. And you're completely right, that makes no sense, but people in general do not, because we are human and we sin. So if you do something to be nice for someone and they turn around and hate you for it, don't let it get to you. Sometimes our best is not good enough for people and there isn't anything you can do to change people; often there is something in them that is hurting and their world is discolored by evil and whatever it is doing in their lives. Instead of getting upset over it (which I know is very hard), be thankful you don't see life through the very discouraging, hateful and awful lens that they apparently see through all the time.
Don't Pick Up and Keep Burdens
If you stack up and carry burdens you'll break. People will come to you and tell you about this problem at work, what they're dealing with at home, their health problems, etc. etc. etc. You can't pick them up and keep them or you will drown in things you aren't meant to deal with. What you have to learn to do is listen with all of your heart, let it bleed while they speak, respond appropriately, and give it to God. He is the fixer of all things, He alone redeems and brings beauty from what looks like ashes, so why carry what you can't do anything about when He can? Give it to Him in prayer and let go. Ask them for updates but don't let things swallow you whole. God's shoulders are infinitely broader than ours; don't carry the weight of the world when you can give it to the One who created the world.
Trust is the Heaviest Burden of All
Of all responsibilities, the trust of others is undoubtedly the heaviest. One thing that astonishes me about my job and my position is how much my employees trust me (at least most of them). My relationship with my employees is truly a blessing from God. But it is a heavy burden! When you hold someone's trust, be careful with it. It's easy to drop and watch shatter on the ground, but shattered glass takes a while to melt back together - and it never looks just like it did before. Be honest with your mistakes; apologize when you mess up, even if it's something small like speaking with a short or harsh tone because you're stressed. Your employees know you're human and you're not perfect, and they appreciate your acknowledgement of that fact. It's give and take - treat your employees the best you know how, and they will give back to you in a way that not only blesses you, but benefits the company. (Example: "Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients." - Richard Branson)
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