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Leading with an Employee-Focus - Nu Leadership Series

By: Daryl G.

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”
Nelson Mandela

Why do employees feel neglected by managers? Several years ago, I was a member of Toastmasters, International (TM). My organization had a company TM club; it was dominated by seasoned women. I was impressed by their zeal and professionalism during these TM meetings. These ladies had progressed in TM to become senior TM officials. I was impressed but also disappointed. What was my problem? In my professional working environment, these seasoned TM leaders were our organizational secretaries. Working in a technical organization, I found the corporate culture unappreciative of secretaries and other non-technical support. One Toastmaster leader expressed to me her sadness and frustration in this technical organization. She was a victim of being “underused and over abused.”

Leaders should not neglect developing and respecting each employee. Calvin Miller, a leadership guru, argues that every leader leads by team building. Take my example. If a child sees his father routinely slap his mother, do you think that child feels that his father loves his mother or even him? Likewise, some managers attempt to apply a similar logic in managing people. Kouzes and Posner, leadership experts, even suggest that exemplary leaders gain the support of all of the individuals involved in a task. Kouzes and Posner state, “Titles are granted, but it’s your behavior that wins you respect.”

Therefore, leaders should respect each employee regardless of their level and perceived value in the organization. Start today!

References:

Miller, C. (1995). The Empowered Leader. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Kouzes, J. & Posner, Posner, B. (1995). The evolution of management thought. San Francisco: The Jossey-Bass Management Series.

© 2006 by Daryl D. Green

Examine how to promote good team chemistry without neglecting your employees. Nu Leadership is a column that explores the changing workforce and social environment as it relates to leadership development.

Daryl D. Green has published over 100 articles in the field of decision-making and leadership. Mr. Green is also the author of two acclaimed books, Awakening the Talents Within and My Cup Runneth Over. Mr. Green has a BS in engineering and a MA in organizational management. Currently, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in strategic leadership. For more information, please visit http://www.darylgreen.org.

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