Is it possible to be a high-standards, results-driven leader while at the same time building an engaged, fun-to-work-with team? Many people would contend that doing either of these things well makes it almost impossible to succeed at the other. And yet our examination of 360-degree assessment data from more than 60,000 leaders showed us that leaders who were rated in the top quartile of both skills ranked in the 91st percentile of all leaders. It seems that not only is it possible to do both things well, but the best leaders are the very ones who manage to do both.
How Managers Drive Results and Employee Engagement at the Same Time
It’s not about experience.
June 19, 2017
Summary.
Is it possible to be a high-standards, results-driven leader while at the same time building an engaged, fun-to-work-with team? Data from 60,000 managers suggests that the answer is yes — but that younger, more junior managers may be better at it than older, more senior leaders. Perhaps younger people place a heavier value on work relationships than older generations do. Perhaps older, more senior colleagues feel less of a need to rely on soft skills, assuming that colleagues will be influenced by their greater experience and formal authority. Regardless of the reason, all leaders could benefit from developing their skills in this area. To do so, focus on six things that research identifies as crucial to both driving for results and fostering engagement: communicating a clear direction; inspiring others; setting stretch goals; having high integrity; developing others; and being coachable yourself.