By Dana Phillips.

“Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” Simon Sinek

Ever say this? “I LOVE my team!”

Loving your team is essential, but it’s not enough to only love your team. Leadership means taking care of your team. Taking care of your team is about putting them first. It’s about focusing on what they need above what you want. It’s not always easy, but genuinely taking care of your team members will develop the team that lasts.

They will know they matter to you, and you will matter to them when you:

  • Get to know your people. Take time to talk with them, in person or voice-to-voice. You will learn more about what they need and how you can serve them in a 15-minute real conversation than you ever will in texts.
  • Establish a clear system of recognition and follow through! Make sure everyone knows what you will recognize and how it will be recognized. Then be sure to do what you say you will. You can keep on top of this by looking at your recognition plan every year, setting your standards, and sticking to them. You can also check on your team every Tuesday to ‘discover’ what they were doing. A quick phone call, message, FB post, or handwritten note lets them know you ‘see’ what they are doing, and they will feel valued by you.
  • If you make a promise, do it! NO MATTER WHAT! When they know they can count on you, you will be able to rely on them—consistency matters. Schedule your meetings and calls and hold them, even if only one or two people show up. Eventually, the team will understand that you can be counted on.
  • If you mess up, own it. When you take responsibility, so will they.
  • Create community by working together. Set up team goals and make the success all about THEM. Celebrate together, have fun together, and join a cause together. As your team learns that success is about working together, they will learn to value and count on each other.

What do they need and want from you, their direct selling leader?

They want you to see what they did and know that you are there for them. They want to belong and feel that they are part of a team filled with trust and loyalty from you, their leader, and among the team members. They want ‘we,’ not ‘me.’ They want a leader who is not afraid to lead, put them first, and go last.

Direct selling needs more leaders like you. We are here to support you as you continue to grow as a leader.

Want to learn more about leading?

Being a leader is more than managing sales and recruiting. Being a leader tests your self-concept and relationship skills. The Direct Selling Leaders Network is the Facebook group known as a safe place to share questions and answers about growing your business. Leaders are curious. This is a great group to find out some answers.

The Direct Selling Leaders’ Network is the Facebook group for leaders like you. This social learning community is the premier online community for direct selling leaders, future leaders, and those who want to create their future. Leadership is a way of life, not just a position. Join us as we add new FREE content every week! Recruiting, Getting Your Team to Work, and Tips on Working Smarter, Not Harder. NOT A MEMBER? Please join some of the best leaders in direct sales.