Are you a generous leader?
I found that one quality all my top clients exhibit is generosity. Their generosity comprises internal beliefs and external actions they take every day. People don’t become generous after they become successful, rather it is because of their generosity that they are followed and become great leaders.
With the holiday season in mind, I am sharing with you five ways for you to grow as a generous leader while impacting the lives of those around you.
The 5 Languages Generosity:
Courtesy of Gary Chapman
Affirmations: Affirming others in their efforts and results. Awarding promotions (hence it is good to have multiple levels on your career ladder, because success breeds success). Writing a personal handwritten letter of thanks to employees and clients.
Services: Volunteering your time to community giving. Helping families in need by donating your landscape services. Participating in a fund-raiser. There are many ways to be generous by “doing”.
Quality time: Spending time with your employees getting to know them personally. Taking time to work on crews and walk properties with employees. Spending time training new salespeople and any time you spend training your people.
Physical presence: Getting in the ditches (or snow) and helping employees load, unload or shoveling. When someone needs a helping hand, jumping up to help them.
Gifts: Impromptu bonuses is one form of gifts. Another form is giving unearned gifts, especially homemade gifts like cookies (peanut butter are my favorite). Giving thank you gifts at year-end is always appropriate; the trick is to make yours unique.
People like to give and receive in different ways. The easiest and best way is to be generous with your spirit, greeting with warmth and a kind word, the people you see throughout your day: employees, coffee baristas, counter clerks, neighbors, and anyone who needs a door held open as they pass through.
From my family to yours, I wish you a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah.
