How to Be a Fair Leader
When becoming a leader in your workplace, it’s crucial to think about what kind of leader you want to be. While some people may want to be harsh or play favorites, most people want to be a fair and kind leader, who respects employees and earns their respect, as well. It can be difficult to do so initially, so I’ve broken it down into two focus areas that will help you become a more fair leader.
Equal Positivity
People love it when others are positive toward them. Part of being a human is the innate desire to fit in and receive approval. This means it is essential for leaders to provide positive feedback to their employees.
That being said, you shouldn’t just praise people for the sake of doing so. Congratulating someone on a sale or handling a tough client phone call would likely be appropriate. However, throwing a party when a team member comes into work on time would send the wrong message. It’s important to keep in mind that your praise should have value.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure that each member of your team gets praise when they do something good. Focusing only on one person may be seen as favoritism, and leaving out one person may discourage them. Avoid giving gifts of value, and if you do bring gifts, bring them for everyone. Finally, keep in mind that words or a note may mean a lot to someone who is struggling. Even if they aren’t at the same level as others, you can acknowledge their work by reaching out in this way.
Equal Coaching
The other main part of leading is coaching others to improve and be the best they can be in their role. Everyone who works for you will need some kind of coaching, even if it’s only working on some minor improvements. You should make sure each employee has a plan for something to work on.
On top of this, make sure you work with employees at a reasonably similar pace. Try not to favor one employee’s development over another. Although your employees’ willingness to learn will ultimately dictate how much you can accomplish with them, it’s up to you to provide the same amount of opportunities for every employee to learn.
Additionally, you’ll have to be prepared to coach employees who struggle. Make sure to treat all employees the same when it comes to developing weak points. When the time comes to help someone out of a slump or to give an honest review, your staff would most likely be more open-minded to coaching if they know you’re fair.
As a final point, let’s touch on honesty. Letting your team know when they’re doing good and when they need improvement is vital to the success of your relationship. Honesty may mean telling people what they don’t want to hear, but if you do this for everyone, your employees will see that you don’t play favorites. Ultimately, it’s up to you to show your staff that you are capable of being fair and honest.
