Welcome to the Leader’s Lens: The Perspective Shift issue!

This is issue is to give you a fresh perspective and actionable tips that you can take implement in your leadership this week.

Send me an email and let me know how you plan on implementing this perspective shift in your leadership!

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The best onboarding experience I’ve ever had was at Best Buy.

Fresh out of college, a friend helped me land an interview in the computers department. His advice was simple: “You don’t need to know every technical detail—just be personable and engaging.”

I could do that! And I got the job.

My supervisor at Best Buy was kind and experienced, having spent a decade with the company. He gave me a clear roadmap for my first few weeks, ensuring I understood what needed to be done and how to do it.

I was paired with a buddy in the department who showed me the ropes, introduced me to the team, and even pointed out practical things—like where the bathrooms were.

It was a thoughtful and well-structured experience that made me feel supported and connected from day one.

Contrast that with a different role I held later as a non-profit assistant manager.

This organization faced high turnover, with little continuity in processes or resources. My manager, though well-meaning, often struggled to provide clear expectations. Instructions were vague or communicated urgently at the last minute.

To make things harder, the satellite office where I worked was isolated from the rest of the organization, leaving me feeling disconnected and unsupported.

It’s difficult to thrive when you feel lost, confused, or alone.

These two vastly different experiences taught me critical lessons about leadership. They highlighted the importance of clarity, support, and belonging in creating an environment where people can succeed.

Without these principles, employees can feel isolated and disengaged, leading to frustration and a lack of commitment.

But when leaders prioritize clarity, support, and belonging, they foster trust, collaboration, and success.

Over the past 10 years as a mid-level leader in healthcare IT, I’ve leaned on these principles to onboard new hires, coach staff, lead projects, and cultivate a strong team culture.

Today, I want to share how you can integrate these principles into your leadership—and highlight examples of leaders who have done this exceptionally well.

🔎Clarity: Guiding with Precision and Purpose

Leaders who provide clarity ensure their teams know the “what,” “why,” and “how” of their work. Clarity sets the foundation for trust and focus. 

Your leadership is providing clear expectations, goals, and communication so that team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and the organization’s vision.

It means eliminating ambiguity and ensuring everyone knows what is expected and how their work contributes to the greater organizational mission.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, transformed the company by clarifying its mission to “empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”

His leadership made Microsoft's strategy clear—shift to cloud computing and foster innovation.

Nadella’s emphasis on clarity enabled his teams to align with the company's vision and achieve remarkable results.

Tips for us to practice:

• Regularly communicate goals and priorities during team meetings.

• Create a shared document outlining key objectives and deadlines.

• Use tools like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to align individual efforts with broader goals.

How can you be clear in:

↳ Defining job descriptions and performance expectations?
↳ Your decision-making processes?
↳ Your communication of organizational priorities and your team's role in fulfilling them?

🎗️Support: Empowering Teams to Succeed

Supportive leaders invest in their people, remove roadblocks, and encourage growth.

They show empathy and adaptability, knowing that every team member has unique needs. Leaders also help remove obstacles and barriers that hinders growth.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, demonstrated exceptional support for her nation.

She implemented clear communication strategies, provided economic relief packages, and prioritized public health, which resulted in high public trust and compliance.

Ardern's empathetic and decisive leadership supported New Zealanders through a challenging time.

Tips for us to practice:

• Offer one-on-one check-ins to understand individual challenges.

• Invest in professional development opportunities like training or mentorship.

• Recognize and celebrate contributions, no matter how small.

Can you be supportive by:

↳ Providing professional development opportunities?
↳ Offering constructive feedback and recognizing achievements?
↳ Being available and approachable for questions or concerns?

🙌🏾 A Sense of Belonging: Fostering Connection and Inclusion

Belonging is the glue that binds a team together. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they bring their full selves to work, leading to better collaboration and creativity.

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, prioritized belonging by writing personal letters to the parents of her senior executives, thanking them for their children’s contributions.

This gesture reinforced that each employee mattered as a person, not just as a worker.

Nooyi's efforts to build a culture of belonging led to high employee loyalty and engagement.

Tips for us to practice:

• Encourage team-building activities that celebrate diversity and shared values.

• Use inclusive language and actively seek diverse perspectives.

• Create safe spaces where employees can share ideas and feedback.

How can you create a sense of belonging?

↳ Encouraging diverse perspectives and inclusive participation.
↳ Celebrating team successes and individual contributions.
↳ Promoting a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.

Remember, we are responsible and accountable for shaping the employee experience. It is a high honor to help design and develop a culture where the team can thrive and succeed through our leadership.

As a leader, ask yourself:

• Does my team have absolute clarity about our goals and direction?

• Am I providing the resources, mentorship, and encouragement my team needs to thrive?

• Have I created an environment where everyone feels like they truly belong?

Take time this week to reflect on how you can improve in these areas.

Your team deserves leadership that uplifts, empowers, and connects. You are the right person that can bring it to them!

I am here to help! My calendar is open if you would like to explore how to embed these practices and others into your leadership. Schedule time with me here!

Happy new year! Continue to lead well!

Ray

Whenever you are ready, here are ways you can work with me:

• 🎤Speaking - As a Speaker and Facilitator, I will engage your team on how belonging and inclusivity can increase your team dynamics! ​Book Ray Now

• 🤝Coaching - As a Coach, I will help you enhance the power of inclusivity and empathy to be an effective leader through an equity lens! Book a Call Now

• 📘Consulting - As a Consultant, I will help strengthen your organizational culture to increase the employee experience and retention! Book a Consultation Now

P.S. - Thank you to those who have filled out the survey letting me know more about your leadership journey! I am excited to dive into the results over the next couple of weeks to provide you with resources and content that will support your leadership! If you haven’t filled it out yet, do so by clicking the link here!