Who are you cheering "fore"?
“We rise by lifting others.” – Robert Ingersoll
Not long ago, I was in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for the pro-am event at The Heritage golf tournament. It was the day before the actual competition began. I have been a golf fan all my life, and seeing many of the world's top players up close was a lot of fun, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
What was also enjoyable to watch was the camaraderie among the players during a non-competitive day. Watching the players on the large putting green, talking and joking with one another, was entertaining.
While I do have my favorite golfer that I cheer for most weeks, having those brief, friendly encounters with many of them has softened my perspective on them as I watch them on television going forward.
In far too many workplaces, we see cultures of unhealthy competition instead of healthy collaboration. Getting ahead is more important to some than getting along.
However, it will come as no surprise that productivity and workplace culture significantly improve with recognition and with seeing each other as colleagues rather than competitors.
In a Nectar State of the Workplace survey, respondents weighed in by affirming the following:
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83.6% of employees surveyed said that recognition drives their motivation to succeed at work.
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77.9% of employees surveyed said they would be more productive if their employer recognized them more frequently.
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81.9 % of employees said that recognition for contributions improves employee engagement.
These statistics should not surprise any leader who sees, recognizes, and values the value of their team members. Good leaders understand this and make it a practice.
Who are you cheering for? Can you celebrate the successes and wins of those around you, even when not experiencing one yourself?
As a leader, your ability to cheer on those around you happens when these three things happen.
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You can cheer others when you set aside your ego
The leadership lesson here is simple – it’s not about you. You will be a more secure leader when you acknowledge and embrace this fundamental premise of leadership. When you can check your ego at the door, you win and are now positioned to cheer those around you with no hidden agenda or motive.
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You can cheer others when you value the team over yourself
Your team will succeed when they see what they do as something greater than themselves. While roles, responsibilities, and contributions will vary, the team wins when each person values the team over self. When you work against a colleague, you work against your team, and ultimately, against yourself.
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You can cheer others when you don’t care who gets the credit
Lao Tzu said, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” This is the beauty of your role as a leader – to shine the light on others as the wins are celebrated. When you come together as a team and work together, you can accomplish so much more when you are not concerned about who gets the credit.
Who are you cheering for today?
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