Engage People – An Essential Mindset for New Leaders

It seems obvious. A new leader is given a team of smart people who have been hired because of their abilities and potential. Of course, the new leader will engage them in helping make decisions.

Obvious or not, new leaders - or leaders at any level - struggle with embracing and engaging others.

Whether it is from a fear of showing vulnerability, a desire to move quickly and not get bogged down by conversation, or a need to impress, many new leaders fail to engage their people in problem solving. Engaging others is one of the best ways for a new leader to learn. Asking questions, listening to understand, and seeking advice - begin with the mindset of engaging others.

Engaging others is not merely about gaining buy-in. It’s about creating a better answer. Yes, the leader must make the ultimate decision, but that decision should be informed by the collective wisdom of the team, not the isolated perspective of the leader.

What about your new leaders?

Here are a few questions to get you thinking about the leader you are, or the new leaders you are developing:

• How do new leaders in your organization seek advice and input from a variety of people? Does the organization even encourage or allow such thinking?
• Has a desire to appear in charge caused some new leaders to put too much on their shoulders and isolate themselves from team members?
• What might new leaders do differently in the future to better engage their people?

Take it from me

Twenty-plus years ago, I was an army lieutenant serving as a platoon leader of a 39-person airborne infantry platoon. As a new leader, there were times when I, like many new leaders, failed to engage others. Much like ignoring gravity comes at a price, failing to engage others can be costly as well. Don't allow yourselves or others to fall into this trap.

What About You?

If you find yourself as a new leader or working to develop new leaders in your organization, it’s time well spent to learn five essential mindsets for new leaders. To help you remember my falling off the log story and, more importantly the five mindsets, I’ve created an acronym called CREEK. Click on each mindset to learn more.

1.   Check your ego

2.   Remain fair and consistent

3.   Earn respect

4.   Engage people

5.   Keep things in perspective

Becoming a new leader is an exciting, scary, humbling, and amazing time. Embrace it. Keep things in perspective and maintain your balance. And, if you fall off the log, dry yourself off, swallow your pride, and commit to getting it right next time. That’s what I did. (Click here to read the story that inspired the CREEK idea.)

Want to Learn More?

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I will be helping them to roll it out to the world.

If you’re in charge of or have influence over leadership development in your organization, I encourage you to take your efforts to the next level and attend an event that addresses what sets great leaders apart. This 50-city tour, sponsored by FranklinCovey, is designed to help you build great leaders at all levels.

Hopefully you’ll be attending one that I’m teaching so we can meet in person. You can register at https://www.franklincovey.com/onleadership 

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Best- Patrick

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