Transform Your Leadership in Five Minutes

The Power of People-First Culture

You clicked on that headline and thought,?No way.?

I get it. Everyone on the internet makes bold claims and then asks you for money. But I'm not here to do that - sincerely.?

My goal throughout my leadership career has been to improve life at work. It's to show people you can have fun at your job, be productive, and still laugh. You can run through your day like Usain Bolt and create outstanding connections with others like Brené Brown.?

(Wait, I get to be Usain Bolt and Brené Brown?)

Yes. Yes, you do.

Here's how.

When you work in retail, you never have enough time. The majority of your work is handling constant interruptions and reprioritizing your day.

You have a loose plan for the day when you walk through the door. I call it a loose plan because after you clock in, your plans will change. Twenty minutes later, they will change again.?

With constant change and demands pressing in on you from bosses, team members, and customers, how can you possibly transform your leadership in five minutes?

You slow down.?

I know you've kicked into Usain Bolt mode but look around. Who is working next to you? Talk to them. Talk to them about them. Channel your inner Brené Brown and ask your people about themselves.?

You only have to slow down a little bit. Let the person next to you catch up, and then start talking as you run.?

Great leaders are genuinely interested in their teammates.?

One of my favorite people (okay, it's my husband) comes home every day, and he tells me all about his coworkers. Zoe studied martial arts in Thailand. Terri's mom lives in our neighborhood, and she loves Italian food. Max just left for school in San Francisco and it's her first time out on her own.?

The amount of information he retains about everyone is enormous, and it's because he sincerely cares about all of them. His whole purpose at work is to make everyone else better.?

He recruited his current boss four years ago to work in his department. She came over and moved up. She then went to another department and moved up again. Now, she's back in his department, scored another promotion, and is now his boss.?

He could not be more thrilled with her progress and having her back in his department as his boss.?

How did it all happen?

He spends about five minutes a day chatting with everyone while they're working. He runs at their speed, connects on a human level, and shows them he believes in them.?

When someone believes in you, you start to see it too.

Authentic leadership has nothing to do with titles. In fact, It has nothing to do with you.?

It's about your team and letting them know how far they can go.?

Your team will not follow you anywhere if they don't feel seen. If they don't feel like they matter, forget it. What's the point? If all you ask is for them to make you look good, they're out.?

Help others.

When you put people first, this vibe begins to build. It's hard to explain. It's like asking people to explain why they click with their friends - they just do.

We all need to find community with other people. It's what makes us human. Work is no different. We all want to belong.?

Slow down for a minute (or five) and talk to your teammates - you can keep jogging. Get to know the person behind the employee number and transform your leadership.

There is no secret to community building. Help others, and you'll begin to see it.

Based in Southern California, Kit has been called "The Voice of the Frontline" by her readers. She’s a former retail leader with a profound knowledge of the industry.

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