What's the best way to connect with your team

The answer is simple: Make time for your team. 

It amazes me to  see how many leaders respond negatively to my question when I ask them, 'do you conduct regular 1:1 meetings with your direct reports and team?'

They tell me they have kept an open-door policy where their team knows they can reach out anytime. And these are the same leaders who  later are shocked to hear their employees quitting.

An "open door" policy doesn't cut it. As a leader, you must reach out to your team, not the other way around. 

And some leaders conducting 1:1 meetings with their teams are doing it wrong. They fall prey to the 'me' trap. They feel it's about their day, their emotions, and feelings, their  results, and their thoughts. 

Many leaders are consumed by the transactional nature of their job that they become more task-oriented than people-oriented

In our age of hybrid working models, creating an emotional connection between you and your team is necessary. 

To be a great leader and influencer, consider giving every employee you manage at least 15-30 minutes of your undivided attention. This is the most crucial time of your day. 

Your people must feel like they're heard and supported every week. Make it about them and their needs. Tell them your stories of success and failures. Become a mentor to them during these individualized discussions. 

Leaders must know their reports personally as well as professionally. 

When you create a structured time for your 1:1, you will require two significant elements:

• Preparation. I am not talking about the agenda or task you want to discuss. I am referring to emotional practice. If you do not prepare emotionally, your ego, negativity, stress, and tensions will arise during these individualized meetings. Dynamic equilibrium is your ability to stay clear-headed and see the situation as it is. It helps you bond deeply with your employees.
• Reflection: Post-meeting reflection on your 1:1 should be addressed. Often when the meeting ends, that is where the creative ideas die or are put on the shelves with no further actions taken. Your team member might have shared a personal or professional concern. You must reflect on it, write it, see what help can be provided, and get back to them.

The importance of connecting with your team goes beyond offsites and lunch meetings. The individual attention that your team receives goes a long way in achieving great outcomes together. 

Your Good Friend + Coach

Payal Nanjiani