Use the right strategy to manage people - The leader's soul-stirring spirit

Author: Zhang Zhengyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: A leader's credibility is an immense influence and an intangible asset. If a leader earns the trust of their subordinates, people will naturally follow them without complaint. Conversely, if they are often untrustworthy, inconsistent, or insincere, others will doubt every word and action they say or do. The Japanese "god of business," Konosuke Matsushita, placed great emphasis on the concept of "personal credit." He said, "To make your subordinates believe in you is not something that can be achieved overnight. You must spend a long time fulfilling every promise you make, do things sincerely and impeccably, and gradually build your credibility." If you want to establish leadership authority, I suggest you strive to be someone your partners praise as consistent in word and deed. If a supervisor is seen as completely trustworthy in the eyes of their subordinates, they are undoubtedly a successful leader. In his research on leadership and reform, the highly effective management guru Warren Bennis found that people would rather follow someone they can trust, even if that person's opinions differ from theirs, than follow someone whose opinions align with theirs but frequently change their stance. The importance of consistency and focus cannot be overstated. Bennis referred to consistency as the ability of a leader to be consistent in word and deed, making them seem trustworthy. So, how can you make people see you as consistent and trustworthy? Here are five practical ways you can use as a reference guide.
① Alignment of Goals: A leader's words and actions, the information conveyed from all angles, and the entire organization's goals, as well as communication management efforts, must be closely related.
② Consistency in Words and Deeds: A leader's actions should align with what they have publicly stated.
③ Consistency in Style: A leader's communication style should strive to be direct and honest, encouraging subordinates to express their opinions.
④ Consistency in Principles: A leader should value the people and things they consider important. For example, employees and key members of the organization should receive information about these people and things before outsiders.
⑤ Consistency in Role: A leader should be the highest communication officer of an organization and the spokesperson for major matters. Whether communicating internally or externally, they should not delegate this responsibility to others.
Do you truly want to win 100% trust and loyalty? I suggest that you must be sincere and consistent, always setting an example for the team that you are a trustworthy supervisor. Below are five principles that leaders must strictly adhere to, which can help create and enhance others' trust in you.
① Maintain a Clear Distinction Between Public and Private: Never mix personal matters with company business—keep them completely separate.
② Discipline Yourself: If a new company regulation is introduced, you must lead by example and never break the rules or policies you have established.
③ Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep: Never promise something you cannot fulfill.
④ Trust Those You Hire: If you hire someone, trust them completely. If you don't trust them, don't hire them.
⑤ Be Fair and Just: Manage people, matters, and the company based on fair and just principles.
Even though leadership styles may differ, and every leader has some flaws or more, successful leaders always possess the trait of being consistent in word and deed. A book on wise leaders writes, "Successful leaders must be consistent in their words and actions, uphold moral principles, and, when necessary, stand up for the values they believe in. They should not say one thing, write another, and do something completely different." In today's fast-changing world, leaders who maintain consistency in their actions and words are more likely to earn the love of their subordinates. Additionally, leaders must invest more time in cultivating their credibility through long-term effort and carefully maintaining their reputation. "Good deeds rarely spread, but bad ones travel far." A single act of untrustworthiness can cause irreparable damage, so if you want to build personal credit and enhance your reputation, you must be careful not to make mistakes. P12-13