In John Maxwell’s The 5 Levels of Leadership, Level 2 leadership, also known as the "Permission" level, emphasizes building relationships as the foundation for effective leadership. At this level, leaders earn the trust and respect of their team members, allowing them to lead through influence rather than authority alone. A key aspect of thriving at this level is becoming the Chief Encourager of your Team (CET) while balancing care with candor. This approach builds a strong, positive foundation within your team, fostering both personal growth and accountability. But to truly inspire your team, it's essential to bring genuine energy and enthusiasm into your leadership—even on days when you might not feel up to it.
1. Set a Positive Tone with Energy
As a leader, the energy you bring to your team can set the tone for the entire organization. A leader who consistently exudes positivity and enthusiasm can create a work environment that is both motivating and enjoyable.
- Show Up with Energy, Especially on Tough Days: On days when you’re feeling less energetic, it’s crucial to still bring your best self to the team. Start by focusing on what you’re grateful for or excited about. This mindset shift can help you tap into a reserve of positive energy. Sometimes, simply deciding to be energetic is enough to bring that energy to life. Remember, your team takes cues from you, and your enthusiasm—or lack thereof—can significantly influence their mood and productivity.
- Use Positive Body Language: Your body language speaks volumes. Make a conscious effort to smile, maintain open posture, and use gestures that convey enthusiasm and confidence. Positive body language not only makes you feel more energetic, but it also makes your team feel more engaged and appreciated.
- Engage in Energizing Rituals: Incorporate energizing rituals into your routine, such as starting the day with a team huddle where you share a motivational quote or a quick story of success. These rituals can become a source of energy for the entire team, helping to kickstart the day on a high note. Want to take it to the next level? Pursue and elevate your team by having someone from the team share a success. Plan it with him or her before-hand and you'll multiply the impact then ask the rest of the team if they have anything similar.
2. Cheerlead Your Team
Being a cheerleader for your team means more than just offering praise; it involves actively engaging with your team to lift their spirits, celebrate their successes, and motivate them to keep pushing forward. Here’s how you can effectively cheerlead your team:
- Celebrate Individual and Team Achievements: Publicly acknowledge both individual and team successes. This could be through shoutouts in meetings, a dedicated Slack channel for wins, or even a simple email highlighting accomplishments. Celebrations don’t have to be grand—they just need to be consistent and sincere. This recognition not only boosts morale but also reinforces the behaviors and achievements you want to see repeated.
- Inject Fun into the Workplace: Find ways to make work enjoyable. This could be through themed workdays, friendly competitions, or team-building activities that allow everyone to let loose and have some fun. When the workplace is enjoyable, it’s easier for everyone to stay motivated and energetic. Fun doesn't need to take a long time. It takes 30 seconds to share their favorite ice cream flavor.
- Personalize Your Encouragement: Understand what motivates each of your team members and tailor your encouragement to suit their needs. For some, a private word of appreciation might mean more than public recognition, while others might be energized by opportunities for new challenges or responsibilities. Personalized encouragement shows that you see and value them as individuals.
- Be the Source of Positivity: On difficult days, your team will look to you for reassurance (whether you know it or not). Be the beacon of positivity by reminding your team of past successes, the progress they've made, and the bigger picture. Positivity is contagious, and your ability to maintain it during challenging times can keep the team’s spirits high.
3. Bring Real Energy to Your Interactions
To bring real energy to your team, especially when you’re not feeling it yourself, requires a combination of authenticity and intention.
- Be Present and Engaged: Whenever you interact with your team, whether in meetings or casual conversations, be fully present. Listen actively, make eye contact, and respond thoughtfully. Your genuine engagement will naturally inject energy into the interaction, making your team feel valued and heard.
- Use Energizing Communication: The words you choose can either uplift or deflate your team. Use energizing language that is positive, forward-thinking, and action-oriented. For example, instead of saying, “We have a lot of problems to solve,” try “We have great opportunities to find solutions that will make us even stronger.”
- Share Your Passion: Let your passion for the work shine through. When you speak about projects, goals, or the mission, do so with enthusiasm. Share why these things matter to you personally, and how they contribute to the bigger picture. Passion is infectious, and when your team sees how much you care, they’re more likely to feel the same way.
- Recharge Yourself Regularly: To consistently bring energy to your team, you need to take care of your own energy levels. This means prioritizing self-care, whether it’s getting enough sleep, exercising, spending time with loved ones, or taking moments throughout the day to breathe and refocus. When you’re well-rested and balanced, it’s much easier to show up with genuine energy. You can only give what you have.
4. Balance Care with Candor
While bringing energy and cheerleading your team is essential, it’s equally important to balance this with honest, constructive feedback. This ensures that while your team feels supported and motivated, they are also held accountable for their work and progress.
- Deliver Honest Feedback with Compassion: When you need to address performance issues or areas for improvement, do so with empathy and timeliness. Acknowledge the person’s efforts and the positives in their work before discussing the challenges. Frame feedback as a path to growth, emphasizing your support in helping them overcome obstacles.
- Encourage a Growth Mindset: Foster a culture where challenges and failures are viewed as opportunities for learning and growth. When your team feels safe to take risks and make mistakes, they are more likely to be innovative and resilient. Your role as a leader is to cheer them on as they navigate these challenges, helping them see setbacks as stepping stones to success. To do all this successfully, you should have clear goals established for each member and the team at large. Talk about these goals. Write them down. Track them publically. Make sure that they are in the SMART goal format. (Google SMART goals for some tips)
- Maintain Consistent Accountability: Regularly check in on your team’s progress towards their goals, with them. Use these check-ins not only to monitor progress but also to provide encouragement and support. Make it clear that you are there to help them succeed, but also that meeting expectations is non-negotiable.
Why Energy? Why Positivity? Why Your Team?
Balancing care with candor, while bringing real energy and enthusiasm to your leadership, is crucial in building a positive, high-performing team. By setting a positive tone, actively cheerleading your team, and maintaining genuine energy in your interactions, you can inspire your team to reach new heights. Remember, leadership at the Permission level is all about relationships, and the energy and support you bring to those relationships are what will drive your team’s success. Without this level mastered, you cannot access the higher levels of leadership, which are production, people development, and hopefully someday, The Pinnacle.
