Getting your colleagues and staff to say good things about you when you’re in the room is easy. Nobody wants to rock the boat.
However, when you’re out of the room, that’s when things can take a turn for the worse. People feel free to speak their minds and discuss what they really think.
Ideally, of course, you want the things they say to be good. But, as any business leader knows, it doesn’t always work that way.
The trick is to find ways to get people to sing your praises when you’re not there. But how do you do that? Let’s take a look.
Invest In Their Wellbeing
Most managers look for ways to extract the maximum possible value from their teams. And, given the incentives they work under, that makes sense.
The problem with this approach is that it leaves people feeling unloved. Nobody wants to be used.
That’s why showing colleagues and staff you’re willing to invest in their wellbeing is a good idea. IOSH health and safety training, healthy cafeteria food, and paid gym memberships can all help tremendously.
Be Yourself
Another excellent strategy for getting people to speak well of you when you’re out of the room is to be authentic. Don’t do things you don’t want to do. Feel free to show your personality and interests and give up on the idea that you need to bow down to other people’s expectations. Strangely, this approach to life is more likely to gain you the respect you want.
Be Positive
Another way of getting your colleagues to see you positively is to be chirpy and cheerful in the workplace. Look for ways to express gratitude and appreciation to your colleagues for the things you have and the working environment you’ve built. If you can, celebrate achievements and milestones whether they are big or small. Try to include everyone and use your emotions to drive positive change in your organisation.
Treat Everyone With Respect
Another tactic is to treat everyone you encounter in your organisation with professionalism, courtesy, and respect. Don’t treat people with lower positions or rank differently from those higher up in the organisation. This approach will give you a reputation for being an excellent leader and people will respect and admire you.
Always give credit to people where it’s due. Tell others that you’re pleased with their work and that they’re doing an excellent job. Make sure you acknowledge their contributions, opinions, and perspectives.
Do What You Say You’ll Do
Lastly, you’ll want to make a habit of doing what you say you will do. Be on time, commit to projects and complete them, and don’t promise you’ll do something by a certain date when you know you can’t meet the deadline.
When talking about what you’ll do, communicate with colleagues clearly. Use simple language expressing precisely what you want to do and how you’ll do it. Staff will appreciate your honesty and dependability and use that to become ambassadors for you and your leadership.