Well, I was going to do an inspirational, goodbye 2023 - hello 2024 blog post, but instead - enjoy being with those you love and in your circle of influence!
2024 will be a whole new experience - with joyful times and challenges. The best is yet to come.
Christmas is almost here! There's an air of excitement, Christmas carols, events, parties, concerts, worship services, and preparations. However, this time of the year can also be quite lonely and even stressful for many.
Let us remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was not born in a fancy mansion or a private hospital. He wasn't gifted hundreds of clothes and toys. The Innkeeper didn't even have a spare room for Mary to rest in. She ended up in an animal shelter and laid her newborn son in a manger (animal feeding trough).
Yet, the angels appeared to shepherds praising God and the shepherds went and saw the newborn Son of God. They spread the word about this baby and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen.
So Christmas is not about how many gifts are under the tree. It is not about how much food the table can hold. It's not about how much money you spend.
Christmas is about being thankful.
Thankful firstly to God, who loved us so much, that He sent His Son to be our savior.
Thankful that Mary was obedient to the angel's message from God.
Thankful that the Bible is full of promises to us.
Be thankful that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, chose to obey God and give his life for us.
Thankful that we can celebrate with our families (however they may be made up).
Let us be thankful that we have a future with God if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Perhaps you can be 'someone' who can share what you have with those who may not have much to celebrate or someone who is lonely, or doesn't have family around them?
Titus 3:4-5 tells us, "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit".
We are not saved by what we do - we cannot save ourselves by doing good things, good works, and being good people. We are saved simply by accepting the amazing gift that is offered to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Over this Christmas period, why don't you check for yourself what the Bible says?
Acknowledgement of work undertaken.
This is the last in this series of roundtables: how can your organization improve productivity and staff inclusion?
It is important that as leaders we acknowledge the work undertaken by our teams. To achieve a desirable outcome, it takes a team of people who input their ideas, skills, and talents. We, as leaders, should not take all the credit for a team effort. Unfortunately, that is often the case, and you will find that people will either discontinue to engage and ‘just do their basic job’, or they will leave to find a workplace or team that appreciates and acknowledges the work they undertake.
As a leader, it is an important skill to learn how to acknowledge the work undertaken by our team members. It shows you appreciate them; you value the people on your team, and it reflects your values. If you recognize and acknowledge the work undertaken by your team, they will grow in confidence, and positive relationships within the workplace, and be motivated to continue learning, engaging, and improving.
You may choose to verbally acknowledge or celebrate with the team. There may be an occasion to provide a certificate of acknowledgement or an award. For example, you may have part of your team who have worked especially hard on a project that has won an award. Why not have them take the stage to receive the award on behalf of the organization instead of yourself? This sends a message that they are valued within the workplace, and you are humble enough as a leader to allow the appropriate people worthy of praise.
While it may be more personally gratifying to garner their acknowledgement of work undertaken, you will find by cultivating a culture of respect and trust, by acknowledging the team members work undertaken, your organization can become a place where people want to come under your leadership and guidance.
What are some ways you can acknowledge the work undertaken by your team members?
As a leader within your organization, you must encourage and enable ideas from your staff or team. As your team collaborate and discuss projects or ways to improve the business, they raise ideas that you have not considered.
To be open to ideas from your staff or team, will require you to be respectful, listen, accept criticism, acknowledge others' input, and allow participation. You will need to be humble and gracious towards your team and ensure they feel safe to express ideas and are aware that they will be acknowledged and heard.
Collaboration with your team can enable innovative ideas and concepts to be discussed, experimented, or implemented and draw everyone together to work at their best and edify each other along the journey.
Being open-minded to ideas brought forward by your team helps you learn and expand your knowledge base. You improve your skills and together the team can discover further opportunities to grow and expand. Your relationship with the team can become more respectful and you learn empathy. It is worthwhile to build trust, affinity, and harmony among your teammates. As their leader, you set the attitude and culture of the work environment.
So, this week, how can you be open to ideas from your staff or team?
Listening.
This is the third part of our roundtable series. Previously we considered communication and appreciation.
Do you listen to your team? Do you hear their input or only your own ideas? I am not talking about hearing the chatter and noise in day-to-day conversations. Listening is a skill. It is vital for anyone, especially as a leader. If you want your team to trust you and collaborate with you, then they need to know you listen and that when they speak you are truly hearing what they say.
Choose to actively listen. Make eye contact, acknowledge, and verbalize what they are saying to you so that you understand the message they are conveying. Ask open-ended questions and confirm their responses.
Ask them questions that dig into the conversation and cause your team members to clarify the points being raised. Ask them to discuss further what they have learned through situations and projects.
Don’t just nod your head when they are speaking, respond to the person talking. Allow each person to express themselves without being interrupted. Be constructive in your responses – such as, “How can I help you with this idea?” or, “You’ve raised a great point, let’s explore this and see how it might fit in this project.”
Being an active and responsive listener will foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and engagement of ideas across the team. As conversations take place, ensure those who are quiet are allowed to engage. If your team believes you truly listen to them, this will influence how they act in the workplace and their performance.
You set the culture of the team and the workplace. How can you actively engage your team by listening?
