As a manager, you are always in the spotlight. Your employees will take their cues from your behavior. This can feel intimidating, but it’s also a golden opportunity to build the corporate culture you want. Here are a few ways to be a good role model for your employees.
Honesty and Trustworthiness
Honesty and trustworthiness are basic cornerstones for a successful workplace. Model these behaviors by keeping your promises, living up to your commitments, and respecting your employees’ privacy. Be transparent and never be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” If something needs to change due to evolving circumstances, let your employees know right away.
Fairness and Compassion
Be careful not to play favorites. Dole out both projects and praise based on objective criteria, ensuring that everyone has a chance to shine. At the same time, show compassion for your team members as human beings. Don’t implement tough and unyielding policies that leave no room for individual circumstances.
Dependability and Reliability
Show your employees that they can count on you. Strive for a consistent work environment in which similar situations are treated similarly each time. Follow through on your promises, and keep team members apprised of your progress. Remain stable and even-keeled, reacting with logic rather than emotions.
Flexibility
Today’s business climate often requires agility, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box. Show your employees that it’s okay to think on their feet, problem-solve, and develop novel solutions. Implement an atmosphere where iteration and trying new things are valued.
Forgiveness
No one is perfect, and we all have a bad day. Zero tolerance policies make sense when it comes to things like carrying drugs or weapons into the workplace, but it’s important to show forgiveness for slipups in most scenarios. This also means forgiving yourself for your own mistakes. Lower the pressure by making it okay to be human.
Most managers want to be good role models, but intentions aren’t enough on their own. Be sure to set companywide policies that mirror the qualities you want to see and make an effort to ensure that your own behaviors live up to them. With a bit of hard work, you have the power to create the corporate culture you imagine.
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