Important Tips on Labor Day

Labor Day is a holiday that celebrates the contributions and achievements of American workers. This triggers me to share several helpful tips about work and leadership I recently read on Inc.’s online articles, authored by Jeff Haden, and also an article written by Edward Miller, M.D., Dean and CEO of Johns Hopkins.

Today, let’s remember that in our work, we are be well advised to:

Listen way more than we talk. Ask questions, maintain comfortable eye contact, smile, nod, hold your advice unless asked. Remember, we don’t learn anything from ourselves, we learn from others. Peter Hill, CEO of Billy Casper Golf, says, “When we are talking, we are not learning”.

• Give you full attention. Put away your phone; come away from your desk.

• Listen to everyone. It is important and appreciated. Practice management (leadership) by walking around our office and seeking important conversations.

• Do not act self-important. Humility is very attractive and helps establish trusting relationships.

• Be a giver.  Shine the light on others. Study servant leadership. Practice it.

• Help people be successful, inspire them, and help build their self-esteem.People tend to live up to the expectations offered them. I recommend an insightful quick read, The Go-Giver: A little Story About A Powerful Business Idea, by Bob Burg and John David Mann.

• Understand the importance of relationships, both internal and external. We have to earn trusting relationships with our colleagues or we cannot sustain success. We don’t do it ourselves.  Be a great teammate.  Another book I recommend is The 100/0 Principle: The Secret Of Great Relationships by Al Ritter. It, too, is a quick read with wonderful wisdom.

• As a boss, give away responsibilities and authority to those on your team so they may learn, grow and succeed. Use the time you save to have conversations and reflect.

This week, many enter the home stretch of their 2012 business year.  It’s a good time to take a few minutes to think about how to maximize our effectiveness.  I hope these tips are as helpful to you as they are to me.