“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Leaders, when was the last time you asked your team how you make them feel? Effective leaders not only manage their own emotions but are also aware of how they are impacting others.
So, when was the last time you asked your team how you make them feel?
It may seem like a strange question, and it may feel even scarier to hear the answers, but a nervous, anxious, stressed, or fearful team is not optimized for performance.
Being that our actions are influenced heavily by our thoughts and feelings, how we feel at work is a huge contributor to how we perform at work.
I’ve learned that one of the most important feelings that leaders can help their teams feel is safe.
Safe to make mistakes.
Safe to ask questions (even stupid ones).
Safe to share opposing viewpoints.
Safe to share how they really feel.
Safe to ask for what they need.
Safe to say that it’s hard to trust others on the team.
Safe to have uncomfortable conversations.
Safe to say when they don’t feel safe.
When people feel safe, then it’s easier for them to be brave.
Only in safe and brave spaces can teams really thrive, collaborate at their highest levels, and be the most effective.
Safe and brave spaces create the opportunity for everyone to feel valued, appreciated, and heard.
The opposite of safe and brave is unsafe and fearful.
What would happen if you asked your team how you make them feel?
What would happen if your team had a discussion if the current culture is more safe and brave or unsafe and fearful?
If you’re reading this article now and you don’t want to ask your team how you make them feel, that’s normal. As I said, it may seem like a strange and edgy question.
However, if you still decide that you won’t ask your team how you make them feel, what may that say about the prevailing feelings on your team?
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