While it's tempting to issue directives and communicate corporate messages "from the top", remember to learn from those who are closest to your customers.
The higher you progress in your level of leadership, the more difficult it becomes to understand what's really happening in the field or on the front lines.
You have to work harder at staying in touch with people at all levels. It's easy to criticize when you're so removed from the situation.
To keep in touch with your employees on the front line, it's important to ask good questions to learn from them directly. What are they seeing and experiencing in their roles?
Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Hold informal group meetings
Hold an informal small group meeting with a variety of people that you don't have the opportunity to interface with on a regular basis. Even if employees are scattered around the globe, conduct a virtual meeting.
Ask for feedback and input on issues that affect the business. Then listen.
-
Spend a day or two in the field
Accompany people on their visits to customers. Or see them "in action" to get a first-hand sense of the challenges they face. It's a learning opportunity for you, not an evaluation session for them.
-
Let them into your world
Invite selected employees to spend a day with YOU on the job. Let them experience your world and see your unique perspective given your leadership role. What a leadership development opportunity for them!
Employees in all pockets of your organisation are eager to share good ideas and suggestions based on their experiences. Some are frustrated that they don't have natural outlets for doing so.
If you're part of a large organisation, you won't have the opportunity to meet with all employees. But you can help open channels within your organisation for good ideas to surface and, even better, to be implemented.