My Team

…is dependable, committed and hard working. They are prepared to stay back in office all night and work on that assignment, the one that prompted me to wake them up in the middle of their night to convince them that it is an important deadline that must be met no matter what. Politely, without complain and in most cases without another option, they oblidge. Sounds familiar? You would if you are a leader and they are your team.

I dont recall how many times I have done this to my team. I have done it everytime the customer breathes down my back with requests and issues. It’s not fair. Not always. As a leader I must realize that my job is not only to serve my client but also to serve my team. Every request from my client need not be attended to with urgency; every frown need not be considered an issue. But when expectations are always on the rise and when we are all trying hard to keep up, it is not easy to always do what is best for the team. It’s a competetive world and to excel (and sometimes just to survive) teams are required to go that extra mile. Fortunately for me, I have a team who understands this reality, trust in my leadership and deliver their best.

As leaders we cannot create the perfect world for our teams. We cannot change the business we are in, the customers we work with or the deadlines that drive our projects and our lives. Its just not possible to change everthing and everyone around us.

Here’s what we can do. We can change ourselves. We can be understanding and appreciative of our teams efforts. We can stop taking them for granted. We can take a minute out of our busy schedules and drop in a simple note of thanks. Simple yet powerful. In return, we will earn their respect for sure but above all its just the right thing to do. So don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or call in a meeting or send an email, simply to tell your team how much you appreciate what they do for you.