Implementing measures that will get your business through the downturn is your number one priority. But you also need to effectively communicate and partner with your staff. It’s likely that the decisions you make will have an impact on their lives and careers and they need to be a part of the process.
Jewelers of America’s resident management and education expert David Peters offers the following advice on how to lead your staff by connecting and partnering with them.
To Connect:
- Don’t Detach:Don’t associate your role of authority with a requirement for detachment. It’s possible to be both liked and respected.
- Be authentic, sincere and open.The current environment of layoffs and cutbacks can be unsettling and your employees need to know where they stand.
- Communication Reaps Rewards: Remember that good leader/associate connections lead to enduring employee/customer relationships.
To Partner:
- Create vision-centered relationships, not power-centered. Goals should be geared toward what’s best for the store overall.
- Focus on support, not subservience; on commitment, not compliance.
- Work with your employees to build loyal customer relationships.
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