1. Successful leadership requires self-reflection to ensure leaders are not merely focused on business metrics and have slipped into an ego-driven style that disengages their workforce. 2. To avoid this, leaders must communicate regularly with employees at all levels, accept criticism without dismissal, hold multiple types of group meetings, and be honest, loyal, and ethical in their dealings with employees. 3. Leaders also need to understand employees' jobs and lives by periodically performing their roles, protect the workforce, and show appreciation for employees' achievements and importance to the organization. Failing to follow these practices risks organizational failure.

1. True reflectionsonsuccessful leadership
As we walkthe pathof guidingorganizationstosuccess,we needtoquestionwhetherwe are
successful. Toomanyleadersare greatnessintheirownmindsandtheymeasure successmerelyby
businessmetrics. Astheyprogressdowntheirstrategicplan,one daytheyare wokentorealize that
theirworkforce indisengaged,reactingonlytocommands,lackempowerment,seekotherstorepresent
them,andare disillusionedwithwhatsuccessresembles. Thatleaderwill firstdefendtheiractionsand
accuse the workforce of beinglazy,notmotivated,andsimplyareflectionof apoor workethicthat isa
culture problem. Theywill increase demandsandemployeeswill reactslowerandwithresentment.
Have you everworkedfora leaderlike this? We all have. They endupfailingandhurtingcompanies
that take yearsto recover. Theyare the egomaniacs of the world. Everyothersentence is“I”. They
may nothave startedout thisway buthave slippedintoafalse sense of self-worthandaccomplishment.
There are waysto stayaway fromthe slide asa leader. Youare nothingwithoutyourempowered,
engagedworkforce. Youcannotleada defeatedorganizationusingthe same tacticsthatdefeated
them.Belowislistedwaystoavoidslippingintothe trap.
1. Communicate everydaywithsomeone inyourworkforce. A regularconversationwiththe
people fromall levelsof the workforce isnecessarytokeep apulse onyourorganization. The
continued communication developsrelationshipsandallowsyoutoreceive feedbackina real
time manner.
2. Don’tdismiss criticism. There are disgruntledemployeeseverywherebutyoucannotmerely
dismiss complaints asthose of a poor employee. There is usually ashredof truth inevery
complaintorstatement. Itmay be exaggeratedandattimesor may be somethingstatedwith
an ulteriormotive, butexaminewhatissaid. Do notover-reacttoeverycommentbut place
some credence initand examine if whatistoldyouisthe truth.
3. Holdregularmultiple groupmeetings. All Handsmeetings shouldoccurmonthly,sub-groups
shouldmeetweeklyandworkgroupsshouldhave ameetingformatona dailybasis. While the
finance worldwill measure thisasindirectlaborchargingthatshowsa loss,the resultantsfor
improvedproductivitywill farexceedthose small losses. There isnoformatfor everyone. Some
people willnotspeakoutina large group and some will feel secure inthose groupsandgive
constructive feedback. Small groupscanalsobe intimidatingforsome peopleandthere are
work group clicksthat will stopsome fromspeakingup. Finally,holdregularskiplevel meetings
on a regularbasis. They shouldbe a minimumof quarterly intervals. Skiplevelseliminate the
presence andinterventionof middle management. People willspeakmore freelyinthese
meetingsandyouwill receive differentfeedback. Caution: Donotoverreactor make promises
to fix problemsinthese meetings. Doingsowill resultingroupleadersandmiddlemanagement
feelingbetrayed. Youare there to gather feedback,describe yourvisionandstrategicplan,and
create listto investigate.
4. Be honest,loyal,ethical,andhave principleseachandeveryday. Do notdeceive your
workforce. There are alwaysbusinesssituationsthatdonot allow youtounveil everythingto

2. the entire workforce butyoucan merelystate “Icannot commentonthat now”,“We have not
made final decisionsregardingthatmatterandwhenwe dowe can discussit”,“I understand
your concernsandwhenwe have answerstothose we will discussatthe nextmeeting”etc. Do
not lie. Yourworkforce will lose yourtrustandeverythingthatisdiscussedatmeetingswill be
merelydismissedasa possible misrepresentation.
5. Walkthe walkof youemployees. Walktheir jobwiththemforan houreveryyear. Learn what
theirjobisand understandtheirchallenges. While you walk theirjobwiththem, realizethey
are people thatworktolive. Theyhave families,children,parents,schoolingissues,financial
burdensetc. Talk to themas a humanbeinganda leader. Nothingmakessomeonefeel valued
more than whenyouwalkthe floorandcan say,“John,how is the boy’sbaseball teamdoing?”
Mary, how isthe daughter’sgymnasticscoming?”,“Harry,how is mom doing”. Itmay seem
impossible butyoucan easilytake 250 hoursa yearand dedicate ittothisactivity.
6. Protectyour workforce. Watchand listenforunreasonable managementandteamleaders. Pay
attentiontosafetyandjoina safetycommittee. Realizeergonomicchallenges. Prove topeople
youcare because youdo care and reactquicklytosafetyissues. People are yourgreatestasset
and protectthemlike the jewelstheyare tothe organization
Be a leaderthatpeople embrace. Reward,recognizetheirachievements,thankthemandshow them
theyare important. If youdo not understandoragree withmostof these items,youare on a path to
failure. Don’tdelegatethese itemstoothers-walkthe walkeachandeveryday.