THOUGHTS ON LEADERSHIP #10 - BE FLEXIBLE.

At the end of the day, when you're having fun, being kind, giving context, being the bulldozer, giving people the resources they need, be flexible.

If people need a day off, leave a little early, come in late, it's ok. When you have a team that is really performing, enjoying their work, feeling empowered and appreciated they will get it done.

As a leader you need to be in tune with your team's needs, personally and professionally. What excites them about their work, what are their aspirations and on the other side, what slows them down, creates boredom or apathy? If you can connect with your team, give them meaningful work that excites them and the flexibility to be human, everybody wins. 

Try to find out what people want to do, what brings them joy, excites them. Somebody might be in a job doing one task but are interested in learning about something in another department. Let them learn about that, work on a joint project, take a class. Give them the ability to grow, even outside of your department. 

People that are treated well and in the right frame of mind, personally and professionally do better work, are more committed and create better outcomes.

Because management by nature is outcome based, it is less flexible. Great leaders know how to balance the personal and professional needs of their teams.