Leading Knowledge Workers: Keep away from These 5 Leadership Sins
In accordance to the most recent studies, the average employee is providing only 50% of what they are capable of offering to your company. As a leader, you are annoyed by this lack of performance. You’d like to duplicate your high performers so you can become more results oriented like the entrepreneurial businesses you see in the market.
To capture the talents and potential of today’s knowledge workers, you need to acknowledge the remarkable rise in numbers of these workers. Knowledge workers are the individuals who use their ‘brains’ instead of their ‘brawn’ to get work done. They are the information specialists, researchers, marketing and sales specialists whose talents drive the success of your business. To guarantee high efficiency – you must manage these talented individuals differently than workers of the past. Their skills might help you take your company to the top. But just like a spirited racehorse, they need to be dealt with with care.
Avoid these 5 deadly sins and you’ll capture knowledge workers’ discretionary energy and build enthusiasm:
#1. Focus only on what’s wrong.
The “no news is good news” approach to leading knowledge workers is a receipt for disaster. You may believe that if workers are not messing up, they don’t need to hear from you. However knowledge workers wish to be recognized. They need your attention. Recognize progress and give acknowledgement to nurture their talents and help them move in the right path and fuels their enthusiasm. Steer clear of focusing only on what’s wrong and acknowledge what is going right.
#2. Disregard poor performers.
High-performing knowledge workers want you to deal with poor performers – or else the issue lands in their lap. You need to deal with performance problems by coaching the worker, reassigning the individual to a place exactly where their talents are greatest suited-or eliminate them altogether. In both case, pay attention to issues and consider corrective action. Do not let laggards linger, derail your progress and de-motivation other employees.
#3. Neglect boredom and expertise misfit.
Job uncertainty and fear might prevent employees from speaking up about a change that’s needed. It is your job to notice when people lost interest, struggle in their current position, or let up for some mysterious reason. Deal with these issues go on instead of allowing them to continue. There’s no joy in just getting by. You don’t help workers by allowing a bad fit to continue. Tough love with self and other people is part of moving into the new economy.
#4. Allow them say ‘YES’ to everything.
Help knowledge employees curb their appetite to work on fascinating projects which are not related to company priorities. Regardless of how thrilling a undertaking is, you must assist workers discern: “Is this project contributing towards the objectives with the company? Can I justify time and power I’m spending on it? Will this initiative assist us accomplish the results we would like?” Many times, knowledge workers bite off more than they are able to chew. A wise leader assists workers set limits and say ‘no’-for their own sake in addition to for your company.
#5. Fail to give feedback.
In corporate life, no one desires to hear: “This isn’t working.” But individuals need to know when their attitudes and behaviors are causing others a problem. No matter how outstanding the person is, she or he can make a blunder – sometimes without knowing it. A wise leader helps individuals acknowledge problems and learn from problems. Do not wait till there’s a turmoil to raise a sensitive topic and give feedback. Regular feedback helps employees grow.
Your main role as a leader is to help knowledge employees contribute their talents. Involve them in crucial decisions and welcome their input. Inspire collaboration with others who’ll stretch their minds and capabilities. Make sure employee talents are visible, seen and appreciated by others in the organization. Keep in mind, knowledge workers wish to use their skills to help your company grow. Put these ideas into action and watch teamwork and efficiency skyrocket!
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