Whether a business is in its very beginning stages or already well-established in its industry, the desire for growth is always strong. Every company leader wants to see his or her enterprise expand and reach a wider audience, but when it comes to considering how to make this happen, things can get complicated. While it is critical for executives and managers to have a number of hard and technical skills, they can’t forget the importance of soft skills in the process, as developing deeper connections with employees can help a company solidify its identity. For this reason, it is essential for all organization leaders to seek out leadership development training to ensure they have the less quantifiable abilities required to guide their operations to success.
Connecting throughout the growth process
According to the Financial Times, leaders often find that as their businesses grow, it becomes more difficult to have a personal hand in every organizational aspect. Especially for executives who took over their positions when their enterprises were much smaller, it can be worrying to see certain elements of influence slipping away. However, leaders can still have an impact on day-to-day operations by developing more meaningful, engaging relationships with their staff members.
Tamara Littleton, founder of eModeration, told the source that as her company has branched out, she’s needed to find effective solutions to keep the “family feel” upon which the operation was founded. Littleton said she accomplishes this by encouraging employees to connect with her over social media – even during work hours.
Tim Hall, founder of the Pod Food chain, noted that to combat the feelings of distance that can exist between workers and their higher-ups, he makes an effort to visit each of the company’s locations on a regular basis. This way, he gets an opportunity to openly share new ideas with managers and address any potential conflicts. As in Littleton’s case, Hall’s involvement gives him a prime chance to continue having an impact on the company culture, which can feed into customer satisfaction.
The news provider pointed out that not every organization leader is ready to engage directly with his or her staff. Many times, it will be essential to take advantage of formal leadership development training that focuses on the enhancement of soft skills, such as communication. With the ability to share ideas more effectively with employees, business heads will find their potential to create a truly unique work environment and innovative products and services will improve. Investing in leadership development training is an excellent way to ensure an enterprise will be flush with happy professionals and reach its full potential.
