Are you Starting on the Right Foot?
When you step into a new role, are you bringing with you an openness and awareness to what has existed BEFORE you?
New leaders get this wrong all the time.
They go in, all guns blazing, super keen, ready to set the new organisation alight.
They judge the discrepancies they find, they scoff at the way things have ‘always been done’. they proudly announce their ideas and new ways which will make things radically better.
The Importance of the Past
But what thought has been given to what existed before?
The systems we live and work in are not just about the here and now.
They bring with them the history, experiences, pains and challenges of the past. The past is part of the make-up of the system.
What happens if we ignore this…?
😔 The existing team feel belittled and disrespected.
😔 The existing team become nervous and vigilant of the new leader.
😔 The new leader finds it challenging to build strong and honest relationships.
😔 The team performance deteriorates.
😔 The leader starts to look at the team as a problem.
😔 Some of the best performers and shining stars QUIT because they feel they are not valued and are not happy with the culture.
What are THREE simple things Leaders can do to get this right:
✔️1) Ask lots of questions but ask them wisely!
Don’t go in with a bunch of ‘why’ ‘why’ ‘why’ questions. Without intending to, this can put people on the defensive and they begin justifying the past. If you really want the real answers, start your sentences with more openness… “What, How’ are better here.
✔️2) Give people the chance to air the past & ramp up your EQ to listen!
Prioritise understanding people, their perspectives, their experiences and their challenges. Make yourself open to seeing things from their point of view.
This may mean they need to rant to you about what their challenges are, what made their lives hell, what they are unhappy with. You don’t need to defend it, you weren’t around after all, but you may just need to listen. This will create a feeling of safety and respect with your team and then you can close the past off and look at how you can move forward more positively.
✔️3) Become aware of what is unspoken!
The past can be emotive. Sometimes there are no words to explain with accuracy what impact and event / issue had on a person. We can’t read minds, but we can read signals. Our EQ allows up to pick up the body language, facial expressions and energy of others. It explains why we can ‘read the room’! Trust the experience you are having. You may not know exactly WHY there is emotion going. but if you are picking up on something, chances are it exists. It’s part of the make-up of the group / experience. Don’t dismiss it, but patiently await clarity and respect what is unspoken.
