Take Charge to Build Positivity

Does being in charge ever make you feel uncomfortable?  Do your colleagues balk that you’re overlooking their work, when you’re getting an overview of what’s going on so you can help plan distribution of work and admissions, as they come in. There are ways you can take charge to build positivity and lessen burnout.

It is challenging to take on additional responsibility when you already have a regular workload.  For nurses, managing break times and becoming the point person in the absence of your manager can feel like additional burdens. In other industries similar challenges exist when people take on management type roles without training and compensation.

What is one way that a successful manager has worked with you?

Here are three ways that I have experienced positivity when I was the person in charge. Research has shown these to be effective in bringing out the best from employees.

Designing the Alliance – Discuss how you want to work with others.  When you gather in your huddle, team meeting, identify what you need to lead effectively. For example, make a direct request “Please come to me with any concerns, whether it be regarding assignments, specifics of the work or break times” A different type of request might be “for today, no negative talk or sarcasm about co-workers.” Then allow other team members  to make requests about how they want to work together. This is an opportunity for you to be a good communicator and listen to your team. Everyone will have a stake in how you’ll work together and they can build a sense of teamwork.

FRE – Frequent Reinforcement and Encouragement* It may sound simple and as if it should be unnecessary, but people work better with positive reinforcement and encouragement. Your praise and encouragement must be sincere.People like to be acknowledged and personal reinforcement and encouragement lets you know that you are important enough to be noticed.  When you’re in charge, notice what’s going well and let individuals know; you’ll be reinforcing the behavior.  When an aspect of a job is challenging, by providing encouragement you acknowledge the other person and help that person not feel so alone.

Empower your team and Don’t Micromanage – This shows that you trust the people you are working with. If you or another has knowledge and expertise in an area a co-worker seems to be struggling, ask her what would be helpful and offer to share the knowledge without the task having to be done in your way specifically.

What’s worked for you as a leader?  What’s worked for you as an employee?

For ways to enhance teamwork and prevent burnout, contact me. I’m available for presentations on relating positively, as well as for coaching you or your team.

*FRE is a term used in Profit from the Positive, by Greenberg, Margaret and Maymin, Senia