Although always changing, over the past decade or so specifically, leadership has begun to evolve entirely. One primary driver of this change has been the steady transition to remote working. Today’s leaders must demonstrate trust in their employees and find effective ways to keep their distributed teams engaged and productive. By understanding and adapting to these new rules, you can become an even better leader and drive your property management business toward greater success. Here are few tips to get you started.
Be a Leader, Not a Manager
Many people believe that leadership and management are pretty much the same thing. There is one key difference between the two, however. Rather than issuing commands and ordering employees to do what they’re told, a leader instead finds ways to motivate and inspire their team to want to do their job and perform well.
Focus on the Good
Chances are, there are a few things about your employees that you wish were better. But if you’re constantly criticizing and pointing out flaws, your team will never reach their fullest potential. Coaching has its place, but true leaders balance this out with recognition and reward. And it works, too. In fact, one survey found that 69% of employees say they’d work harder if they felt more appreciated.
Lead by Example
Think about leadership in the military. A general doesn’t stand on the sidelines and send their soldiers in to fight on their own. They lead them onto the battlefield. In business, a strong leader is one who can be a shining example of what they expect out of their employees. If you want a more collaborative workplace, for example, then roll up your sleeves and start collaborating on projects together.
Empower Employees
What’s more impactful? A team of robots who blindly plug away all day, or a team that is comprised of individuals who think critically and take initiative? Obviously, it’s the latter, but how can you get to this point? Simple. By empowering your employees to reach their fullest potential. Arm your team with the equipment, technology and support they need to make decisions and come up with solutions.
Check Your Ego
Aristotle once brilliantly stated: “He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.” In order to be a good leader, you must be willing to humble yourself and remove your own ego from the equation. Recognizing that, while important, a good leader is only one piece of the puzzle that makes a business successful. A more significant portion can be attributed to reliable employees.
The property management landscape is changing and, as a result, so too is how we lead. Gone are the days of top-down management driving results through fear and intimidation. Today’s leaders operate under the guidelines listed above, placing people over profits, empowerment over authority and inspiration over command. Where do you stand?
