When leaders ask about professional development, they often think of what it means to lead their teams and the business—to lead a team of uniquely talented individuals to work effectively together and then connect that work to business priorities to deliver results.
In this blog post, as we wrap up the four-part series on the essential elements of leadership development, we want to share two tips for leading teams.
Fostering Connection: One of the most important actions Cassie Kane, our founder and CEO, has taken to grow the Kane Learning business: fostering connection among the team. While there are many effective ways to foster connection, a favorite on the Kane learning team is volunteering. Last month was National Volunteerism Month, and we shared that we value our time volunteering to invest in our community and build relationships within our team. It’s about creating meaningful experiences that strengthen connections and relationships between colleagues and contribute to the communities where we live and work. One of the practical ways volunteerism helps improve your team is that it fosters leadership and skill development: Taking on volunteer tasks allows employees to stretch their leadership muscles and develop new skills transferable to their everyday work roles and responsibilities. Volunteering as a team also improves communication and collaboration, increases engagement and morale, attracts and retains talent (including Gen Z as they enter the workforce!), and builds a positive image in your community.
Sharing Business Results: As leaders, we may be reluctant to share business results with our teams. However, one of the most impactful ways to bridge the gap between behaviors and results and foster a culture of open communication is through collective review of business results! Encouraging team members to understand how their individual efforts contribute to the company's growth can create a sense of ownership and alignment with business goals. Regularly reviewing results as a team ensures transparency and promotes a shared responsibility for outcomes, leading to a more engaged and results-driven team. By connecting daily work to the bigger picture, leaders can inspire their teams to strive for continuous improvement and success!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this four-part series, which highlights five essential aspects of leadership development: lead self, lead the work, lead people, lead teams, and lead the business.
Which aspect of leadership development would you like to invest in this year?
Stay tuned for something exciting that will bring these five essentials to LIFE!
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