By Mary McLoughlin.

Direct selling leaders are such compassionate people. You care for the individuals on your team and, sometimes, care too much.

To have the heart of a servant leader means that you know and care about what matters to the people you lead and what happens in their lives. It also means that you care about their success and growth. Many things fill the lives of people, some wonderful, some beautiful and some painful. Life can get in the way of moving toward success. It’s easy to get caught up in the reasons why things are not working. A compassionate heart can make it difficult to lead, to say the hard things that encourage success and growth. Asking permission to lead will open up opportunities to both show you care and to tackle the hard subjects.

At the onset of your relationship with your team member, take the time to clarify your role as their leader. Ask for their permission to lead like this, “I am here to support your success by leading you. I’d like to ask your permission to lead you. Sometimes I will be mentoring, training, coaching, and holding you accountable.  Mentoring is sharing how success has worked for me. Training is providing the knowledge you require to learn the skills of success. Coaching is pulling the best out of you by building your awareness. Accountability is keeping you committed to following through on what you agreed to do.”

When you are faced with challenging times to lead, try a few of these questions:

  • I hear the pain in your heart, are you able to focus on business during this time or is this a time to take a leave? Helping them to make a decision will create clarity for both of you. Making a choice will relieve their guilt and provide you with the knowledge you need to support them.
  • When you don’t do what you say you will do, how do you want me to hold you accountable? Many will say, just say it. Some will prefer it comes in an email or text. Knowing that you have permission and that you will deliver the accountability in the best method for them to hear will make it much easier to take action and say the hard things.
  • I know there is a lot going on in your life right now. As your leader, it’s my job to help you keep your business going throughout the tough times. How can I support you in making sure your business is still going after this season is over? You demonstrate your caring and your willingness to help while keeping yourself and their business in action.

Sometimes being a leader means saying tough things during tough times. It can also mean allowing for a season when the business doesn’t come first. By establishing early on what your team member can expect of your leadership, she will understand that compassion is more that holding her hand.

How Do You Best Promote Positive Accountability?

Sometimes leadership is harder than others.  You keep looking for that magic key and along the way you get better.  Team Connections Pro may be a great place for you to look.  Besides hundreds of hours of videos and audios, there are worksheets, documents, and eBooks.  AND you get two coaching sessions every month to support your leadership.  Want to learn more?  Click here.