As a business owner, it makes sense for productivity to be one of your top priorities. Ensuring your team can be as productive as they should be is crucial. And this is precisely why a lot of businesses are considering different approaches, from implementing remote working arrangements to investing in professional development programs. But, one aspect of productivity that most businesses fail to consider is the influence their leaders can have on the team.
A leader who’s been very vocal about a team’s productivity is Elon Musk, who believes that remote work and short working hours can damage staff’s productivity. The result, however, is very different. Many experts claim that teams who work or have worked under Musk have been considerably less productive. Why is that?
As executive search expert, CJPI, explains a good leader not only introduces productivity-enhancing techniques but also serves as a catalyst for unlocking the full potential of employees.
Inspire the team from the start
First and foremost, good leaders inspire and motivate their teams. Indeed, employees are more likely to feel inspired by a leader who can ignite a sense of passion and purpose.
Ultimately, your team is more likely to go above and beyond when they feel inspired by the company’s mission and their role in it.
Micromanagement kills productivity
Micromanagers are everywhere and they can be a big turn-off for good employees. But even if employees choose to remain with the company, productivity will still drop. Indeed, when you micromanage a team, your employees do not feel trusted and recognised for their skill sets.
On the other hand, a leader who entrusts employees with autonomy and decision-making authority will also support overall productivity.
When your employees feel trusted and empowered to make meaningful contributions, they are naturally more motivated to perform at their best.
Knowing how to avoid conflicts
Do you know that managing conflicts effectively can transform team dynamics? Conflicts happen for a variety of reasons in the workplace.
This is why you want a leader who has strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. These qualities will help create constructive dialogue to resolve conflicts. As tempting as it is to ignore conflicts in the team, this can lead to team members not being able to work together and not trusting each other.
Every project matters, no matter your position
Every task matters, and as such, everyone’s contribution matters. This mindset is crucial for productivity. Indeed, the last thing a leader should do is focus only on the contributions of highly ranked employees.
This sends the wrong message. Employees with a lower salary or position may be led to believe their input doesn’t matter and their productivity could drop.
Leading by example
It would be unfair for a leader to expect the team to work longer hours while they are enjoying their time off, for example. That is why need to lead by example and be the person they expect their employees to be. The leader embodies the business values and work ethic they want to see in others.
Ultimately, there’s no secret here. Teams are more likely to want to give it their all when the leader is working just as hard as them.
In conclusion, while there are many effective strategies a business can use to boost productivity, you can’t afford to ignore the role leadership plays in productivity. A good leader will lead the way and help boost productivity, while a bad leader will destroy it.
