2024 · originally posted on LinkedIn
Motivating and inspiring teams shouldn't be as complicated as it has become. In a world where pressure and expectations are sky-high, top talent craves leaders who are at least as invested in them as they are in their work. They seek more than just colleagues in the relentless chase of goals and metrics. They yearn for genuine humans, beyond titles or seniority, who demonstrate heartfelt appreciation and care with unwavering passion.
Outdated, noninclusive perks like pizza, beer, and after-hours holiday parties are no longer good enough. Investing in performance reviews and career development is now the bare minimum. Be that as it may, management faces its own challenges. With their days consumed by emails, administrative tasks, and navigating office dynamics, finding time and resources to go above and beyond can seem nearly impossible.
Yet the answer lies in simple acts of kindness and gratitude. A heartfelt thank you, a moment of humour, or a warm smile don't cost a thing but can have a profound impact. These gestures can uplift and transform an employee's experience, extending well beyond the confines of the office.
Last spring, Kelvin, Liz, and I introduced a simple way to honor our team's hard work and commitment. They met or exceeded every goal we set over two months, achieving remarkable levels of detail and ownership that propelled our projects forward in ways I almost couldn't believe. There's no sweeter moment in leadership than when your brilliant talent sees the potential in themselves that you hired them to pursue.
In exchange, pie. Every pie thrown, photo captured, and hug shared was a testament to their radiant spirit. Those six pies and some leftover materials from a home project, totaling $30, taught me an invaluable lesson about the essence of leadership. Our team's happiness and success felt, smelled, and assuredly tasted like lemon meringue that day.
The tastiest aspect of this experience, aside from having lunch delivered straight into my face, is knowing these memories will one day shape future team cultures, much in the same way that the best leaders I've worked alongside shaped me.