Image by truthseeker08 from Pixabay
Organizations with committed leaders and staff are better able to adapt to change and thrive in adversity. Teams with high levels of commitment, one of the 7Cs of team resilience, perform well in a crisis.
What does it mean to be committed to your colleagues? Committed co-workers show respect to others. They are loyal and will give something of value (time, money, effort) to support each other. They keep promises and protect teammates from harm even when it is hard to do so.
Here are some ways you can demonstrate your commitment to colleagues:
Do What's Right
Avoid rationalizing to make what's wrong right in your mind. While we all work in gray areas, don't get drawn into the trap of justifying that doing something wrong is okay. I always ask myself whether I would proudly testify in Congress about my behavior. I don't take action if I would be ashamed to tell others what I've done.
Join Committees and Working Groups
Joining efforts that improve your team's well-being shows you are committed to the group, not just your responsibilities. Find at least one activity you can be involved in that contributes to the common good.
Show Up
Attend celebrations, farewells, award ceremonies, and other events in your organization. If you're an introvert, you don't need to stay for the entire event. Show up for at least 10-15 minutes to demonstrate that you support your colleagues.
An Open Door Is Not Enough
If you are a senior leader, walk around the organization and meet people in their workspaces. Saying you have an "open door" communicates that you are expecting everyone to come to you. Instead, go to them. Spend time with people where they work.
Show Interest in Colleagues' Work
Be genuinely interested in the work your colleagues are doing. Ask questions, listen, and become familiar with what they do. Understand their challenges and offer to help if needed.
Keep Your Promises
Don't make a promise you cannot keep and keep the promises you make, no matter how hard it becomes to do so. If you must break a promise, explain why and strive to make this an exception to the rule.
Make Time for People
The more senior you become, the more time you need to dedicate to people. Mentor staff and help them achieve professional and personal success. Provide time and money for personal development.
Focus on Team Instead of Personal Achievements
Give credit to team members for a job well done. Celebrate team success. If you receive a monetary award for a significant accomplishment, spend some of the money on the team that helped you win that recognition. When you get promoted, take your team to lunch to say thanks for helping you get there.
How do you demonstrate your commitment to colleagues?
___________________________
To learn more about how you and your team can thrive in adversity, visit my website, and follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. And, check out my online Resilience Leadership course.