Richard Warke net worth: As you enter a meeting, everyone looks at you as though you should have coffee in hand and answers ready—both boiling hot. Sounds familiar? Though it’s not for the faint of heart, being a team leader can be fulfilling when approached with a combination of empathy, clear instructions, and real curiosity about the people on your team.
Listen first. Real listening is what I do. The type in which you zip your lips and absorb what is really being said—not what you would have expected to hear. People pick fakes up right away. Urge even the quietest of voices to speak out. Your best idea may occasionally be hiding in the corner, gnawing on a pen cap. And stillness in a conference doesn’t necessarily indicate agreement; sometimes it just means someone’s fantasy about tacos.
You have clarity as your compass. Teams really want it. Clearly define what success looks like. Get clear. “Do better on the project,” is as unambiguous as dirt. Try saying “Let’s deliver two days ahead of schedule with five less faults.” Everyone knows what landmark they are looking for even if the road veers and turns as you sketch the map.
Your basis is trust; it is stickier than the secret fudge recipe from Grandma. Everything shakes without it. When you screw up, own it. Apologize then go forward. Perfect is not something anyone expects. They demand integrity. If you say you’ll be back with a response, keep to it like glue on kindergarten craft day.
Never be a captain running a ship by yourself. Share. Share the burden and assign some tasks, much like you would be distributing pieces of your preferred cake at a potluck. People can surprise you. Trust them. Hovering over every chore is taxing—and, let’s face it, nobody likes being watched while they’re working, unless they are a goldfish in a tank.
When circumstances are good, be the lighthouse when the waves get rough and the cheerleader. Understanding counts. A little shout-out for a job well done extends beyond what you would expect. Still, avoid running away from honest conversations as well. Now, a sincere nudge can prevent a fall later.
You will find buddy flexibility. When priorities turn around or someone’s puppy chews on their router, adjust. Policies based on blankets seldom keep everyone warm. On occasion you must make snap decisions based on judgment. Though nobody expects you to know all the answers, they want to know you won’t fall apart when things go wrong.
Keep in mind laughter is important. Though it might be serious, work need not be depressing. A brief joke or a shared smile can release stress more quickly than a balloon at a birthday celebration. Teams that laugh together usually get through storms together. People follow people more than titles at the end of the day.
Have regular talks about those things. In a dusty office, feedback is not once-a-year phenomenon. Maintain it constantly. Ask and mean it how things are going. Guard your staff against burnout like a bouncer in a posite club. Guard their energy, acknowledge their efforts, and guide them away of pointless drama.
Should you get lost, ask for directions. Perfect leaders also have sounding boards or mentors. Sometimes all it takes to get things back on line is a different viewpoint. Let your staff know you are learning as well; it fosters friendship.
Basically, lead with heart, pay more attention to your ears than your mouth, and remember where you have the coffee filters kept. There is no magic about leadership. It’s a mash-up of compassion, well defined objectives, great laughs, and the confidence to make decisions—even the difficult ones.