Labor Day has always been a great reminder for me. The holiday is an annual national tribute to the contributions people in the workforce have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of our country.
Servant leaders honor the people within their sphere of influence everyday. People that are making it happen for our customers deserve that honor!
The following are great ways to honor people on your teams:
- Say thank you!
- Offer praise and encouragement
- Increase responsibility by giving additional tasks
- Increase their level of autonomy
- Be present and approachable
- Listen to their ideas, concerns, and needs
- Stay curious – don’t lead with answers
- Ask questions that lead to personal discovery
- Allow them to work in their strengths
- Say thank you!
Labor Day is a great reminder to focus on these things on a daily basis. Doing so will help build positive relationships within our workplaces, our families, and our communities, and build TRUST.
Trust is necessary for influence to take place. Without trust there is no leadership. By being intentional about improving in each of these ways to honor people on our teams and in our families we have a chance to make a significant impact in this world.
Don’t wait until next year’s Labor Day Holiday to do so. Make it a daily practice!
Mark Deterding
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38