Thursday's Leadership Insight: The Present of Leadership Presence: Seven Practices to Create L.A.F.F.S. During the Holiday Season and Beyond

The week before Christmas is upon us, and as Angela Lansbury sang in Mame, "We could all use a little Christmas right this very moment, "or as Matthew West sings in We Need Christmas, "This world could use a little healing…. Christmas to bring us all together". This is true across many areas of society today and is mirrored in our organizations, affecting how we think about leadership. Gallup, in their 2023n State of the Global Workplace, and McKinsey and Company, in their The State of Organizations 2023, demonstrate a worldwide disconnect between what workers want and what leaders believe they are doing. Reported disconnects on mental health and well-being concerns illustrate this trend. During the holiday season, leaders are faced with a dilemma, a critical question to answer. What do those you lead really want from their leader? That present is your presence. It doesn't require wrapping or even a gift bag or a Starbucks card. As leaders, the most valuable present we can offer our teams during the holiday season and throughout the year is our genuine presence. Steven Goldstein, writing an INC. article To Be a Great Leader During the Holidays, Focus on These 7 Things writes, "Amongst all the festivities, leaders have a new type of responsibility to uphold. They must keep in mind that their employees, as valued members of their business, deserve reciprocity and acknowledgment, all the while doing a great job of satisfying their customers. One of the keys to leadership presence is being around as much as possible. Whether in person or virtual (with the screens on), those you lead want to see you. This presence forms the foundation of a need-fulfilling culture based on Love and Belonging, Acceptance and Acknowledgment, Freedom to work, Fun at work, and Safety (LAFFS). This week's ThursdaysLeadership Insight shares seven practices to increase leadership presence and build a culture that is need-fulfilling. Here are seven practical, easy-to-implement leadership practices and attending questions to spark your actions in those you lead.

"The Christmas holiday season is an Emotional Magnifying Glass; what is good is great, what is bad is awful."

1. Be aware and vigilant about how you are doing.

In the  Netflix film "That Christmas," the narrator reminds those watching, "The Christmas holiday season is an Emotional Magnifying Glass; what is good is great, what is bad is awful." The leader must recognize and be vigilant about the health of the organization. Successful leaders have strong emotional intelligence, and they should be able to gauge their behavior toward the team. If the stress of the holiday season is making you unknowingly become hostile, take a step back, collect your thoughts, and realize the potential impact of your actions. Try to be fully aware of how you are behaving, and check in with some of your employees to make sure you are supporting them.

The leader must first be aware of their emotional state and how they manage themselves at all times. This is especially true in this holiday season for the leader who wants to give the gift of their presence. Taking care of yourself as a leader is crucial for three reasons. First, the way a leader demonstrates their self-care and self-management is a clearly visible model to all. Second, a leader's self-awareness and self-management is contagious. Third, the leader's self-awareness and self-management create energy to help those a leader serves. To show care, a leader must be the model and have the energy. Leaders can only give the energy they have. A leader's genuine attitude of self-care and self-management will be a magnifying glass for those they lead and will be noticed and contagious. The leader's ability to be self-aware and manage their attitude will be crucial to giving the gift of presence. A leader who is upbeat and cheery will be a model and example for those they lead.

Question: what are you doing as a leader to practice self-awareness and self-management

"An excellent way to demonstrate you care is to ask how you are doing and wait for a response before asking what you are doing."

Jeff Henderson

1.   Be aware and vigilant about how those you lead are doing.

The leader, in giving the gift of their presence to those they lead, will demonstrate how they are aware of relating and managing relationships with those they lead. They will also be learning a lot about how people are doing in this season. One doesn't need to be a therapist; one needs to be aware and present with resources as needed. This presence should not be restricted to the leader's immediate areas. As much as possible, reaching out to others beyond their circle is a clear and positive measure of care. A clear example of this is my dear friend, who is a high school principal and a  Muslim. The principal regularly schedules work hours during Christmas break to allow other Christian administrators in the building to take time off.

Questions;

How can you reach out to as many people in the organization as possible, physically or virtually?

How can you arrange your discussions to ask how people are doing before asking what they are doing?

3. Practice Taking the time to use Powerful Questions, Present  Listening, and Pause to respond.

"One of the most powerful ways to demonstrate your `presence is through genuine communication. Axios HQ, in a recent White paper, eight pressing priorities for execs and comms leaders in 2024 lists several challenges facing society and organizations. One of their key recommendations was to "double Down "on communication with employees. Powerful questions matched with genuine present listening and pausing to respond have powerful effects. Genuine presence is demonstrated by genuine communication. The leader giving the gift of presence takes the time to ask, listen, pause, and respond. They build a need-fulfilling culture and increase empathy and mutual respect. As John Maxwell wisely notes, " "Most good leaders want the perspective of people they trust." John C. Maxwell. By truly hearing your team members, you create an environment of acceptance and acknowledgment. "Leadership expert Mark Mille notes that if you want to have a greater impact, you have to commit to lifelong learning." Genuine communication leads to lifelong learning for all in the organization.

Question  

Can you take the time to meet with team members and focus solely on listening to their ideas, concerns, and aspirations using genuine communication?

HINT

Put away your devices and give them your undivided attention.

4. Recognize and Appreciate Efforts of all

Mark Miller, the VP of leadership at  Chick-fil-A, emphasized the importance of recognition: "The best leaders are constantly looking for ways to increase their influence and impact."By consistently recognizing and demonstrating appreciation for your team's efforts, a leader fosters a sense of belonging, acknowledgment, acceptance, and safety. These practices also build buy-in and develop trust.

Question

Can you  Implement a daily gratitude practice where you intentionally acknowledge at least one team member's contribution? This can be as simple as a handwritten note or a public shout-out during team meetings.

Hint: Develop a gratitude practice for yourself first

The holidays can certainly be a joyous celebration; they can also be reminders of past or present dysfunction, sadness, regret, or anger. A leader practicing awareness must be aware of being present and offering resources.

5. Foster a Fun and Giving Work Culture

Creating moments of joy and levity in the workplace is crucial for team morale. Fun is contagious and can help those feeling stressed to be themselves. Gallup's research suggests that a fun environment creates connection and hope: "If, as a leader, you are not creating hope and helping people see the way forward, chances are, no one else is either." Some possibilities include organizing regular connection-based team-building activities or having informal gatherings. This could be as simple as a team lunch or, if virtual, having something special delivered to those who are hybrid. Another way to build a need-fulfilling culture is to have the group you lead designate a nonpartisan non-profit to give to. Coat drives, diaper drives, and toys for tots and service projects are viable options. Giving back creates team connection and energy in the effort, fun, and joy.

Question

What activities can you and others plan and carry out for everyone in the organization to have fun and give back?

6. Prioritize ways to build trust and prioritize safety and well-being

A safe work environment goes beyond physical safety; it includes emotional and psychological safety as well. John Maxwell emphasizes, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." the leader who regularly checks in on their team's well-being. Implementing wellness initiatives and encouraging open discussions about mental health and work-life balance demonstrates their presence and care. The leader who, even in holiday event planning or activities, enlists as many as possible  builds safety and acknowledgment in the culture

Question

How can you practice reaching out and building a safe, accepting need-fulfilling culture?

7. Lead by example in service and gratitude

As Mark Miller points out, "The best leaders are humble enough to realize their victories depend upon their people."By modeling the behavior and attitudes you wish to see in your team, you create a need–fulfilling culture of mutual respect and growth. Consider pitching in and helping employees with their workloads. The frequent practices of thank you notes are easy to do and create a huge impact

       Question

In what ways can you show gratitude for all those you lead every day?

 The seven practices listed above and the questions may lead to the thought that it isn't that hard and that it is just common sense to act this way toward those you lead. The truth is, I hope you do, yet the research data are evident here, and this is not the case in all organizations. If it is genuinely authentic, that is wonderful. If it is not valid, these seven practices are a guide to an organizational culture where we think, act, and interact in a needful way. These organizations can demonstrate Love, Acceptance and acknowledgment, Fun, Freedom, and Safety.

.In the holiday season, a leader's gift of leadership presence is the most valuable present a leader can give those they serve. It's not about grand gestures but consistent, authentic actions that show you care. As you navigate the holiday season and beyond, let your presence be felt in every interaction, decision, and moment of leadership. A leader's presence is a gift for the holidays and all year. It can be the gift that keeps on giving to the leader, the organization, and their families and communities.

The Leadership Question for you is

Will you choose to incorporate these seven practices in your leadership practice?

Next week, we will complete this series with sage advice from holiday season celebrities on leadership, as seen in the holidays.