Leadership
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LEADERSHIP
Too often, individuals who find themselves in a 'Leadership' role learn how to become a leader while in that role. But what if we shift our perspective? What if we see leadership not as a position, but as a RESPONSIBILITY? This transformation in mindset can enlighten us about the true nature of leadership.
In a perfect world, every leader would be groomed and prepared for the role they would one day serve. Some leaders have had the good fortune to experience that. In turn, they have paid it forward, preparing the next generation. Yet, for many, maybe even yourself, the role of a leader just happened. One day, someone else was managing the store; the next day, it was you. Or maybe you were trained and prepared, so while you were prepared, you are continuing your growth to be the best leader you can be.
As you embark on your leadership journey, it's crucial to reflect on your leadership style by asking yourself some of the following questions:
What does being a good leader mean to you?
What traits and qualities do you possess that make you an exceptional leader?
Would your team members agree?
These are the questions that self-reflection can help you answer.
A LEADER'S MINDSET IS ONE OF CONTINUOUS GROWTH!
Remember, leadership is not a destination but a continuous learning and improvement journey. Stay motivated and committed to your growth plan. Don't have one? No worries, NOW IS THE TIME!
LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT
Utilize the Leadership Assessment, a powerful tool crafted to evaluate your leadership style and pinpoint areas for enhancement. This tool is not a judgment, but a compass, guiding you to recognize your strengths and areas for growth, and ultimately, to become a more effective leader.
TAKING ACTION1. After completing the Leadership Assessment on yourself. Be honest and evaluate yourself harder than anyone you lead.
DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT:
Check the box next to what best describes you. If both apply, check the center box.
Have your team members assess you
Review all the feedback. Do NOT React. NO REPERCUSSIONS!
Ask yourself the hard questions. Make the necessary changes, if any.
Be the leader you will follow!I
SEE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES...So, what do you do now?
Now that you have completed the Leadership Assessment,a tool designed to evaluate your leadership style and identify areas for improvement, it's crucial to leverage your results. They will serve as acompass, identifying your places of strength and opportunities for growth. Remember, a leader's mindset is one of continuous growth!
AN ACTION PLAN FOR GROWTH
Step 1:Goal Setting:Identify 2 areas you have done well and reflect on them. How do you knowyou do them well? Is it in the numbers? The feedback? Your gut is just telling you you do. Is there an opportunity to apply the samereasoning to another area?Identify 2 areas for opportunities for growthand WRITE them down. Writing them down helps tosolidify your commitment to these areas and serves as a reminder of your goals.
Step 2: The Why & The Return (ROI):Consider these questions:Why did you choose these 2 areas? What makes them so important? How will they help you be a better leader? Why will it help your team and customers? Understanding the significance of these areas will give you a sense of purpose and commitment to your growth plan.
Step 3: Your Activities:Using your reflections, class discussion, and other resources, WRITE down 3 ways you will use to improve your skill set. (Min 3 for each). If necessary, this is an opportunity to create new habits, empowering you to take control of your growth journey.Step 4: Timeline & Evaluation:Create a timeline to be re-assessed with the new knowledge you have gained. Make sure you are aware of opportunities to show you have grown. Keep notes so you can refer back to them in the future. Are there any things that encouraged or prevented your growth? Make note!LEADERSHIP IS A RESPONSIBILITY. As a leader, it's your responsibility to initiate the next step. Return to your stores and encourage every team member to complete this assessment. Leading by example, you are fostering a culture of growth and self-development, not just for yourself, but for your entire team.Understanding how team members view you is more than reinforcing positive characteristics and breaking old habits. It is about valuing their perception and creating a more effective, team-oriented workplace. Their feedback is a testament to your leadership and an integral part of your growth journey!Meet with your leadership team and future store leaders after they take the assessment. Were there any results that surprised you? Are there any consistent opportunities for growth? Identify the consistency first, then prioritize, and get to work!USING YOUR TEAM MEMBER'S RESULTS TO HELP THEM GROWSometimes, growth/self-development is about more than mastering a weakness but recognizing strengths in others and leveraging their knowledge and skillset to create a championship team.Consider having each of your current and future store leaders assess themselves. It will give them insight into areas of growth. Have your team members pick one trait and work on it until it becomes a naturalcharacteristic.By knowing your strengths and weaknesses, along with those of your team members, you can find your ying to your yang, the salt to your pepper, and the vinegar to your oil!Remember to GROW, teach what you know, and then let go.ADDITIONAL ACTION STEPS TO BE THE LEADER YOU WOULD FOLLOW:-Find a Mentor.-READ and become a "Student of Leadership."-Attend Leadership Seminars/lookup free videos and TED talk
12 Qualities of an Effective Leader:
1. INSPIRATION - Do you want to lead?
a. Do you understand the responsibilities of leading?
b. You must be inspired to lead. You want to challenge yourself and your team to do better. When you inspire others, they will desire to grow.
b. Foster an environment where team members collaborate, communicate, and work towards a goal.
2. INTEGRITY - Do you want to lead for the right reasons? The WHY
Not for power but to help others and serve them.
a. Be a person of your word. If you say something, make sure it means something. The first agreement in the book, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, is BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD. THINK before you speak. Is it True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Is it Kind? You are a leader in your store, so it is imperative to set a good example.
b. Treat people fairly. Remember, fairness is the cornerstone of good leadership. When you treat your team and customers with equity, you foster a culture of empathy and justice.
c. Work hard- success takes work. The saying an overnight success is only a saying, a metaphor. Success takes hard work, day in and day out. Success means not giving up when the going gets tough. It means you keep showing up, demonstrating your determination and commitment.
d. Give back- As a leader, paying it forward and giving back is a must. Remember, integrity means caring about others, not just yourself. When you give back to your community, you demonstrate your compassion and responsibility as a leader.
e. Competing—Remember, you are playing to win, not to lose. In our business, the restaurant next door is your competition. However, competition is not just about beating others; it's about growing your community. If you are not out in the community building relationships, you are losing business to your competitors. So, play to win by fostering a healthy competitive spirit and engaging with your community.
3. CLEAR GOALS - Know where you are going. The Destination.
a. Do you have established goals? Are they written down? You should establish a new goal every day. It could be sales, bread count, average tickets, upsells, etc.
b. Do all your team members know your goals?
4. CLEAR VISION – How are you going the get there. The Road Map.
a. Know your focus and communicate it clearly to your team. A clear vision provides direction and purpose, guiding your team towards shared goals.
5. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE
a. Your team and customers are always watching you, even when you don't think they are. Your actions and words must reflect your integrity, setting the standard for others to follow.
6. CLEAR COMMUNICATION
a. Effective leadership is about listening more, talking less, being present, and observing.
b. Clear communication is the key to understanding and connecting with your team.
c. Encourage your team members to repeat what you say. This prevents miscommunication, especially on important issues.
7. ENCOURAGEMENT
a. Be a mentor, let go, and let grow.
b. Praise the deed. When you see a team member doing something accurately, praise the deed.
c. During the rush, make sure you encourage your team. Don't let them get discouraged if you are falling behind. Pivot and make changes if necessary while encouraging.
8. TEAM INTEREST & NEEDS - Make your goals helping others accomplish their goals.
a. Win together, put your team first. There is no I in team. Remember the acronym TEAM...TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE!
b. Be humble an step aside when need be.
c. Be selfless, and put your team needs first (but don't enable, EMPOWER!)
d. Aces in their places
9. RECOGNITION
a. Share the success
b. Celebrate others
c. Recognize and appreciate others
10. SUPPORT
a. Be prepared for those “sweaty palm” and difficult conversations you must have when it is the right thing to do.
b. Nourish your team members. Let your team members know you are there to support them so they can be the best they can be.
11. EXPECT THE BEST
a. Play to win, not lose
b. Never give up
12. RESPECT
a. Value your team members' contributions.
b. Care about your team members through your actions and words.
c. Once you have earned their respect, keep it.
“Be the Leader you would follow.”
Chris Stripto
Developing Leadership Through Accountability
ACCOUNTABILITY
How do you teach and promote the growth of accountability among your team members? When people are accountable, they are responsible for their actions, behaviors, and duties. Here are some ways to teach and hold your team members accountable:
ACTION PLAN
1) Set & Communicate clear expectations & means of assessment
Coaching Strategy: Explain ‘the why’. Why is accountability important? How will being more accountable help your team member? What task(s) will they be responsible to complete? Have team member(s) repeat back the expectations.
2) Establish timelines
• Coaching strategy: Establish a time for completion. Also, create a check-in time (Do not want to wait too long!)
3) Provide Feedback
• Coaching Strategy: As a team leader, your role in recognizing accomplishments and making recommendations is crucial. Always approach it from the standpoint of wanting to help your team members, and you'll see the positive impact of your influence.
4) Consequences
• Having consequences helps develop boundaries and behavior patterns. Consequences, in the context of accountability, refer to the outcomes of actions, whether positive or negative. They serve as a guide for future behavior and help reinforce the importance of accountability.
• Coaching strategy: Enforce consequences—both good and bad ones. Talk to the team members, find out how they feel, and encourage dialogue to continue or change behavior. This open communication is key to maintaining a healthy team dynamic.