10 tips to help leaders pay more ATTENTION to their teams

Many credit union leaders are overwhelmed, overstressed, and overtired.

Paying attention = increased member retention.

Paying attention = increased productivity.

Paying attention = increased accountability.

Paying attention = increased engagement.

Here are 10 strategies to help leaders pay more attention to their teams to assist increase productivity and accelerate engagement.

1. Schedule 1:1 – regularly meet with your team, ask them to create agendas that focus on helping achieve their personal and professional development goals.
2. Stop typing – when someone enters your office or your meeting, look up from your device.
3. Turn off your phone – during meetings turn your phone over if you are distracted by messages or notifications, or better still, turn it to silent.
4. Close your laptop – when someone enters your office, give them your undivided attention to focus on what they need.
5. Disconnect from social media – the person in front of you is more important than the person online. Prioritize accordingly.
6. Know what’s important to people – what are their goals, hobbies and interests.
7. Keep detailed files – to include birthday, family and pet names so they know you are interested in their personal and professional lives.
8. Use names – it sounds so fundamental and yet it’s so important! Increase engagement by using names. Dale Carnegie said ‘a person’s name is the sweetest sound’.
9. Say thanks – every time someone does something for you – say thank you. Write notes, send emails, make public announcements, and share it in team meetings. Create an environment of appreciation.
10. Reward achievements – recognize success in team meetings, on group emails, mention to senior management, provide bonus’, gift cards, time off … get creative with recognizing team members that achieve goals, get a new client, close a big sale or handle a difficult member.

Credit Unions are about people helping people.

As leaders let’s begin by paying special attention to our teams today. When we pay attention to our teams they pay more attention to our members.