The many benefits of teamwork in the workplace include better productivity, innovation, and conflict resolution. When we are deliberate about being approachable, we communicate to our team that we value their input and their contributions. One of the most effective ways to build passport with your people is to deliberately and persistently cultivate the image of being an “approachable leader.” An approachable leader makes people feel safe; they know they are welcome to come to you with questions, concerns, or even criticism. Team members who have approachable managers feel able to contribute ideas and find the workplace a safe environment in which to do so. The Characteristics of an Approachable Leader. Use an open body language. Would people say hello? Assume the person has good intentions in talking to you about the concerns. Have a friendly facial expression. By adopting a calm attitude in the workplace, you’ll find that you’re more creative, happy and approachable, and this will effectively put you in a better position to succeed in your career. Identify points that you both agree and disagree on. Being approachable is not difficult to achieve, but a necessity for successful leaders and commanders. You’ll make others uncomfortable if you run yourself down too much. For being approachable, you have to have strong listening skills. Be an active listener. This includes avoiding frowning, having a friendly smile, making eye contact, and being expressive. Talk to them in person whenever possible instead of by email. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Being a good listener is one of the best ways to be a good communicator. They, in turn, can feel more committed to their curriculum which can lead to higher test scores. 357 Views. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is … That line of … When you are approachable, people can connect and relate to you. That’s when you truly gain authority.” – Jack Ma . A lot of people have the image of a strong leader being an island unto themselves: tough as nails and someone to be feared. “ “In an approachable culture, people can feel that it’s about coaching and working together.” – Lisa Beaty. But there’s a lot of space between being a complete jerk and being proactively approachable. Join the conversation below and let us know how you stay calm at work. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. 3 min. Take a deep interest in things that other people are into. This in turn makes you more engaged, determined, and ambitious . In our last episode of “Aim Higher, ... ” as a leader and why you need to do so in ways that respect the chain-of-command as well as your own ability to get work done. We are all taught from a very young age that we should learn to be friendly, be a good listener and be open to other people. When you start listening, understanding and respecting, others will do the same to you. Showing vulnerability and a sense of humor make you more likable and approachable. That is an old and redundant image of leadership. Successful leaders never stop teaching because they are … That's a big deal. Research has shown that the hormonal-chemical effect of chatting informally in the workplace boosts productivity and lowers stress (hence the health benefits). Body language can reflect many feelings : fear, anger, excitement, happiness, boredom, and many other They’re not scared about being knocked back because they know their manager is open to their suggestions and will consider them fairly. Being approachable, specially at work, is the key to building strong interpersonal relationships with your colleagues. 5 Tips for Helping Others Grow. Or would people stare at you with confused looks on their faces, ridiculing you and assuming you were a complete idiot? Tweet; Share 0; Reddit +1; Pocket; LinkedIn 0; Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Consider allowing people to work from home to help them achieve a better work/life balance . Body Language Body language is the hints or clues that you make with your body, whether you realize it or not, that indicate how you’re feeling and how you want to be portrayed. To be approachable you need to act approachable. However there is a very minute line between being confident and egocentric or reckless , so one must keep in mind never to cross the line. Chad Gangwer is carving a niche with Chadc_uterie, fun, creative "blue collar" charcuterie that anyone can enjoy. Most of us have experienced change in the workplace at some point. Acknowledging what you have listened to will add necessary spices in leader being more approachable. June 14, 2019. We also know we are positively impacting every single person these leaders lead. See Through the Lens of Others. Use an upright posture: Straight back and arms uncrossed. When we are approachable, we are able to receive valuable feedback and build trust in our organizations. Being professional in the workplace will always act in your favour and will only do well for you. The more helpful responses are easy to identify and hard to do, but I know you can do them. Furthermore, you’re showing your students that you’re passionate about what you’re teaching them and how they learn from your lessons. We talk more about how to look friendly in the next section. The times when you shut your office door to conduct sensitive business or ensure privacy should be the exception rather than the rule. If you want your people to do their best work, you need to help them find their best self. I met a guy who kept saying things like, “I’m an idiot,” “I have the most boring job ever,” etc. Instead, they’ll feel alienated and cut off. Make being approachable the governing trait of your leadership. Best, Utpal Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 11:02:00 AM EDT Being on your phone or covering up your face, whether it be with a hat or with your hands, sends an instinctive message to people that could consider talking with you. "Communication has a big role in resolving conflict and being approachable to discuss the conflict with one another. Management is one of the top reasons cited for lack of engagement in the workplace, representing 70% of the variance between high and low engagement. Have lunch and coffee with the team and make yourself a permanent fixture in the office to avoid being viewed as a distanced “corporate hermit.” Be Honest. It might be comforting to always be on your phone, but it won’t make you more approachable. 2. If you spend most of your time behind closed doors, your staff isn’t going to feel a connection with you. read “To gain authority, you must first give the power to others. Never underestimate how important being approachable is to the work that needs to be done in your organization. Many employees in the workplace will tell you that their leaders have stopped being teachers. It is important to focus on the behavior and event that may have caused the conflict rather than someone's personality. The new … They understand what is needed for success and are willing to roll up their sleeves to get the work done. Why Be Flexible? I am also in the agreement of 'checking' the understanding. Cannot agree more with #6. Being present and approachable is the key to work-life balance: Mom and entrepreneur Divya Gokulnath; Emotionally, it’s difficult because my daughter is in another city: Bharti Pandya If you want to come off as approachable, you need to mingle with your team as much as possible. You may find it intimidating to have to reach out to your colleagues, the relationship you'll build with the other people at work can help improve your satisfaction as well as your level of productivity in your job. Here are four tips for being an approachable manager: Leave your door open. Whether you are an employee, or you are working at a managerial level, being approachable is a quality that you should imbibe in yourself. 4. Being overtly offensive in the workplace is also strictly off-limits, and that includes put-down humor about peoples physical appearance. You want your employees to feel comfortable coming and talking to you so that you can keep the channels of communication open. What would happen if you wore a nametag all the time? A positive attitude also makes you more approachable, so your co-workers will be more interested in asking for advice or a brainstorming session. When you come across a problem, offer up a variety of solutions that might fix it. No one likes communicating with someone who cares only about putting in her two cents and does not take the time to listen to the other person. It’s natural to feel nervous, but try to avoid crossing your arms or fidgeting. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. To get you started, here are five powerful ways leaders can practice patience in the workplace: 1. From her findings, it is evident that being happy at work doesn’t mean universal acceptance or the complete absence of negative stress; it is just the power through which we can widen our perspective and bounce back from negativities. Looking approachable will make you seem more friendly and encourage other people to interact with you. It is a privilege to see people connect these leadership concepts with their day-to-day leadership. Every workplace has a culture and an environment and it should reflect in your confidence, while you are outside the workplace or inside. An effective leader is a person who is approachable. Being an Approachable Leader. You should be able to help employees come up with an effective plan for identifying and managing stressors , as stated by the American Psychological Association, and this may include offering more meaningful tasks and help navigating the challenging ones. Happy employees are an excellent investment for successful companies. Building these kinds of connections are natural byproducts of being an approachable leader. It’s always easy to … You need to be helping others and building connections. If you're not a good listener, it's going to be hard to comprehend what you're being asked to do. However, don’t push this self-deprecation too far—keep it light. Being more approachable 1. By being more approachable, you encourage your children to ask questions which opens lines of communication in your classroom. Keep an open posture with your arms at your sides or in your lap so you don’t come across as closed off. Would people be friendlier? It's your job to create a healthy working environment, and being approachable is an essential element. The Value of Being Approachable: Priceless Jan 24, 2019. If you tilt your head back, you can come off as intimidating or stuck-up. The answer is, yes: All the above and more. When someone comes at you with tough feedback, fight off your emotional response and try these instead: Thank them for sharing their concern with you. Being in an environment where we get to work side-by-side with leaders and help them overcome some of the challenges they face is a real gift. Having friends at work can boost job satisfaction by 50%, and the feeling that you’re being your best self by over 20%. Plus, each new … That multiplier effect is a huge motivator for us. 4 Tips for Being More Approachable in Workplace.