Great leaders, like great teachers, understand the importance of their people. They make a commitment to educate and motivate the people on their team. Training, coaching and mentoring provide a healthy foundation for growth and development. This is an effective way to motivate your team toward achieving a common goal.
The key components of unforgettable lessons include:
- Customized Instruction
The very best leaders adjust to the needs of each individual; they are attuned to different learning styles and needs. It is important to know when to nurture and when to push each person. Great teachers, as well as great leaders, customize learning for each student’s strengths, needs, skills, and interests.
- Life Lessons
Lessons from great leaders extend beyond work. When they offer wisdom that applies to life as well as the job, leaders can make a deep and lasting impact on the individuals who comprise the team.
- Socratic Method
The Socratic Method is a teaching technique based on asking questions instead of merely answering them. This method can help guide the person toward insightful answers while empowering them to find their inner strength and drive.
- Perfect Timing
Great leaders know the importance of timing. Open offices allow for constant feedback and teaching. However, some lessons are best received in a more private environment. It is important to understand when individuals will be most receptive to process and embrace certain lessons.
- Leading by Example
The most successful leaders get their hands dirty, working side by side with the team while practicing all that they teach. Practicing integrity and honesty while in the trenches is the best way to train a team.
- Inspiration
You can bring out the best in others by believing in their success. When you believe in people, you show them they can be more than they had imagined. Great leaders see beyond the obvious and show their team what is possible.
- Continual Learning
Leaders become great through constant development and improvement. Continual learning helps leaders exercise their skills and enhance their ability to better understand their people. Learning is easier than ever now that podcasts, portable mini-seminars for the ears, are available for every field of work.
- Appreciation and Recognition
Recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of your team members will make a huge impact. Look for successes, even small ones, and recognize them verbally, in writing or with a small token of appreciation such as a coffee or lunch. Even a short conversation acknowledging a recent win can be very motivating.
Great leaders know that high-quality lessons will yield great results. When you embrace the role of teacher, you build loyalty, accelerate your team’s growth, and advance performance. Teaching is an integral responsibility of leaders. If you’re not teaching, you’re not really leading.
Written by:
Kathy Lin, Marketing Communications Manager
Kathy writes content for Tal Healthcare, a healthcare career website. She has a background in recruiting, sales, and teaching. She holds a BA in Biology from the University of Vermont. When she isn’t writing you can find her outside running, skiing or biking.