During his pro baseball career, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter was often seen doing an inclusive pregame ritual. Before the first pitch, he’d walk the length of the dugout giving fist bumps to everyone in sight—players, coaches, even the ball boys. He once said, “Leadership is more about what you do than what you say.” Jeter was the team captain, and those fist bumps were reminders to the rest of the Yankees that their franchise leader was present with them, more interested in winning together than shining solo.
Harvard Business Review notes that a 2015 survey found employees craved more present leaders. Those polled defined absentee leaders as people who “enjoy the privileges and rewards of a leadership role but avoid meaningful involvement with their teams.” It’s easy for good leaders to get hyper-focused on the “big things” and wind up becoming absent. It takes intentionality to stay present. The good news is it’s doable. Here are 5 small changes to become more present.
1. Leave your office.
When I get in the zone while working, I don’t like to break my focus. When I’m answering emails and feel like I’m making progress, it’s almost like I get tunnel vision. That can be a good quality because it demonstrates good work ethic, but only if that effort doesn’t lead me away from being present.
Leaders need to get out and roam the room. We need to chat with others in the lunchroom. We need to ask how their work is going. Make it a point to show an interest in the people you’re leading. If done genuinely, it shows others that there is no dividing wall between leaders and others, encourages good communication, and softens your leader persona. Try it, and if you have a lot of remote staff, schedule regular video calls to check in on them.
2. Leave your door open.
As great as it is for me to get out of my office, it’s crucial that others know they can come in, too. Of course, all leaders will have times when they don’t want important meetings or calls interrupted. I do, but I try my best to open my door during the rest of the day. It makes people feel welcome and shows that you’re accessible. The people you’re leading should get a slice of your time. When you leave margin in your day, you crack the door—literally—to relationship-building interactions.
3. Ask “real life” questions.
If every conversation is about business, your relationships will always feel surfacy. There’s a balance that needs to be struck, but communication at work doesn’t have to be all business. Take short breaks. Ask people about their families and kids. There is more to life than just getting assignments done before 5 p.m. Ask the people you’re leading about what truly matters to them. Getting to know them better will build your rapport.
4. Celebrate “wins.”
One thing I really like about our organization, Family First, is the portion of our weekly staff meeting when we give compliments and shoutouts. That public praise is eye-opening. I look forward to hearing how teammates praise each other each week. I don’t speak up at every meeting, but I do make a point to praise others often to show them I notice their contributions and appreciate all they do.
5. Show up for out-of-the-office events.
Being a good leader is tied to being present. I took my grandson to the zoo for a Family First event celebrating foster and adoption families. I attend a few of our All Pro Dad Experiences each year. When we show the people we’re leading that we walk the walk instead of just talking the talk, it resonates with them. Don’t be a leader who asks more of others than you’re willing to do yourself. That’s phony leadership.
A good leader is a present leader. What areas of leadership do you need to work on the most? Share in a comment.