Leadership: You are always mentoring your team
How many times have you said to yourself, I’ve got to get myself a mentor? Or, conversely, I want to mentor someone?
Just like children learn more by observing their parents, everyone around you at work is learning from each other. And if you’re a leader, this is particularly the case. Take a moment and consider how others are influenced by your actions.
As an example, there was a particular project where the project manager, while effective, ran his meetings in a relaxed manner. The business sponsor, not so relaxed. He would come into the meeting, sit down, give his greetings and then bang, straight into it. Sharp questions, challenges, and expecting sharp responses. What do you think happens? The meeting changes, the attendees all respond using sharper responses, straight to the point and accurate.
What do you think happens in the next meeting? Even if the sponsor wasn’t there? Shorter meetings, discussions that are straight to the point, actions taken and questions resolved.
You can think of your own example I’m sure — say a time where you facilitated a great meeting or discussion, and then observed at a later point how your team took on some of those techniques or behaviours you showed in their own meetings.
If you provide an environment where everyone is given a voice, making an effort to ensure everyone has the opportunity to give their view, and do it consistently, your team will take on this behaviour, without being “mentored” in the traditional sense.
But there is a flip-side. Your team could also take on negative behaviours as well. If you’re ruling by intimidation, cutting people off mid-sentence, demanding that your way be followed, your team will also absorb this, and potentially take on this behaviour. At the very least they will be influenced and use it to some extent on each other.
The people around you will notice your behaviours, good and bad. And they’ll take them on in some way, or at the very least respond. And if you’re a leader, then your team, in someone or another, are compelled to do so.
You’re always mentoring your team.
