Each one of us is a leader one way or another. Whether you are designated team leader or someone with charisma that people generally look up to, leading and keeping teams happy is considered one of the pillars of success.
Here then are 10 Must Dos To Create & Lead A Happy Army:
- Find the one happiest person on your team and make sure he/she is not just happy but has the space to make others happy too.
- Tell a joke. Regularly, every wednesday at 11:19 hrs. No no, don't, I am joking. about the day and time, but as a concept, please do. A joke a day, keeps the army laughing away!
- Good food. Find a solution, either to get good food organised or allowing the troops to get the food they like. Good food is one of those base maslow's needs that you can actually do something about. Lets not try and fix the other big need ;)
- Some social time. virtual or real, give it to me baby! I mean, to them. Allowing your troops to be social keeps them in good humour. Honestly, they like it. They actually have fun connecting, sharing and commenting, unlike some people higher up the ranks. you know what I mean.
- Stand for something. Sounds a little funny, but the troops rally around a leader they know has a core strength and someone who because he/she believes in something will behave in a certain way. Happiness is when we know the world around is stable and for the army you are a key part of that world. Don't dither, don't flummox, be something and be that regularly.
- Be fair. No really, be fair, equitable, just etc etc. Most people would rather be unhappy with their lot than be unhappy with an unfair leader. keep them happy, not guessing about what it is that might tick you off.
- Pay them on-time. I run a small firm myself and I know how some month's the cash-flow can really get f%^&$. Even in those months the endeavour should be to get the salaries out on time. As an employee that is the one thing one banks on, don't let that be factor for unhappiness.
- Tell them you are happy with them. Caveat, only tell them that when you truly are. Addendum, let them know what it is that would make you happy. I am honest with my team, sometimes a little too much, but one of things I know they appreciate is my ability to tell them what they need to achieve to allow themselves to be happy with themselves and their work. We regularly celebrate successes. Strangely, since I have started doing this, I am happy with them a whole lot more!
- Help them grow. Teach the troops a new thing or two. Add value to them and let them know they are better than they were a few weeks ago. Happiness is derived from self worth, hence higher the self worth, higher the happiness.
- Attitude is everything. It boils down to that. Have a happy attitude and it will flow to the team. If worse, designate an off-day, a day that everyone just knows not to mess with you or if you work in a stressful environ, then maybe do the opposite and designate a happy day. When I used to work with the Taj Group, I used to make that day either a friday or sunday. Friday I wore a yellow tie and just kept myself happy that day. Now, at my own firm its saturday. About saturdays another day in detail perhaps since I have fought the shani thing and lived to tell the tale.
Happy leading!
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