Why Connections Matter in Leadership

There was a time where bosses had all the power, but now workplaces succeed with a new type of leader: a relational one. This style values strong, trusting ties with staff, fostering a more engaged, productive setting.

Why this leadership works:

Happy, Engaged Team 

Individuals who feel valued and connected to a team generally thrive. When employees feel appreciated for their contributions and have strong relationships with their leader as well as their colleagues, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and invested in the team's success. In this type of environment, team members are empowered to solve problems collaboratively. They are willing to go the extra mile to help each other out and find solutions that benefit the entire team. This sense of camaraderie boosts morale and creates a workplace where people enjoy coming to work and contributing their best efforts.

In addition, happy and engaged employees are more likely to be creative and innovative. They feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks, knowing that their colleagues will support them. This can lead to breakthrough solutions and a competitive advantage for the team. 

Furthermore, strong research from Qualtrics XM Institute has indicated that employee engagement is closely linked to customer satisfaction. The more engaged an employee is, the better the experience is for the customer. This then leads to increased sales and loyalty. So, creating a happy and engaged team is not just good for employee morale, it's also good for business.

Unleash Strengths 

Every team member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the fold. A critical step to building a high-performing team is to truly understand these strengths. Instead of simply assigning tasks, identifying what each team member excels at allows you to build a culture that empowers individuals to leverage their talents.

According to Gallup, employees are six times more likely to be engaged when they are able to use their strengths on the job. Gallup also found that employees whose managers focus on their strengths are twice as engaged as the average US worker. 

Investing in your team's strengths is not only an investment in the overall success of your organization, it allows your team members to feel valued, empowered, and confident in their abilities. This translates to a healthier, more effective team.

Innovate Together

In today's rapidly changing world, it's important to be able to come up with new ideas for a team to do well. When everyone on the team feels comfortable sharing their thoughts openly, you can unlock potential opportunities that you may have never known or thought about before. 

However, based on findings indicated by sideways6, 1 out of every 2 employees feels that their ideas are ignored while 4 out of 5 have ideas that could improve the business. This means that the ability to create an environment where all voices are heard and considered can have great impact on the future of the company. Maybe even the world.

Open communication fosters a sense of psychological safety within the team. When team members feel safe from judgment or ridicule, they are more likely to take risks and experiment with new ideas. No matter how unconventional they may seem at first. When team members can freely express their thoughts and build upon each other's suggestions, a vibrant exchange of perspectives takes place.

How to lead relationally:

1. Listen to Team: Seek ideas and feedback, and communicate openly.

2. Celebrate Wins: Praise accomplishments, big or small.

3. Know Your Team: Proactively show interest in their lives and goals.

4. Share Knowledge: Encourage learning among team members.

5. Lead Well: Show respect and approachability.

Conclusion

This leadership style takes time, but the gains are huge. By building connections, you boost your team's potential and create a valued, empowered, and engaged workplace.

This article was originally posted on Medium (Oltman, Dustin. "Why Connections Matter in Leadership." Medium, 23 May 2024, www.medium.com/@dustinoltman/why-connections-matter-in-leadership-7c7a1e37d75f)