👓 First Year Leadership Advice, Employee Retention, and Team Norms

Hey Leader!

This issue is a collection of curated content from this week that would be helpful for you and your leadership!

Any of it you like? Email me back and let me know which one you found the most valuable!

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What’s your Perspective? - “First Year Leadership Advice”

In our 12/30/2024 Leader’s Lens: Perspective Shift issue, I encouraged you to reflect back to your first year of leadership and think of what advice you would give to you then!

Some great advice was given (a lot I plan on using today in year 12 of leadership). Here are some of the answers I received.

• “Focus on your healing, and overall wellness before leading others” - Erika P.

• “There is so much that has changed in me since I first found myself in a position of leadership. Thinking about my beginnings, I would encourage myself to study human behavior much earlier and to do so with an empathetic lens.” - Dean C.

• “If I could go back to my first year in leadership, I would tell myself not to take it personally when someone challenges you after making a mistake. When you've investigated the situation, identified the correct process, and gathered the necessary information, trust your judgment. Don’t second-guess yourself. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and no one enjoys being in that position. Listen carefully, offer understanding, and extend grace.” - Kelli.M. Communications Supervisor at a 911 Center.

• “Have open conversations with your team about their goals, skills, and passions. Be sure everyone is on the same page with what needs to be done and how they can infuse their strengths into the work. If you notice that someone’s energy have shifted, create an environment where they can come to you for guidance. You could help avoid burnout, rage/quiet quitting, or disengagement of any kind.” - Ray W. Information Technology Supervisor, Healthcare

• “Don’t be afraid to fail” - Hamadi J.

• “Keep showing up and chill out” - Michael G.

This question is still open to answer! Email me back or share your answer on LinkedIn here!

Article - Employee Retention Solutions [in Tech]

The tech space has been booming since the creation of the first home computer. But companies within the tech industry has struggled to retain top talent within their organization.

The article highlights the tech industry’s ongoing challenge with high turnover rates and offers actionable strategies to improve retention.

They sight the cause of turnover include stress, limited career advancement opportunities, toxic cultures, and lack of employee development.

All these things can be solved with an emphasis on:

• Fostering a culture of belonging;

• Creating holistic wellness programs;

• Designing staff ownership opportunities;

• Accessible robust learning and development initiatives, and;

• Aligning employees’ work with the company’s mission.

I find that this article can be valuable for leaders across industries. It underscores the importance of aligning employee well-being, engagement, and growth opportunities with organizational culture.

For us, this is a reminder that investing in people drives both retention and performance.

An investment in our staff is an investment in our team’s future.

Evaluate your organization’s career development programs. Identify one area to improve, whether it’s creating clearer career paths, launching a mentorship program, or offering skill-building opportunities.

Start small, but act now.

How are you investing in your people?

Report - Inclusive Team Norms

Inclusive leadership is an important lens for us to embody for creating belonging workplace cultures.

This report, we, is a excellent research based framework we can all glean from for our leadership.

They explore the three team norms that are essential for creating inclusive team environments:

• Promoting expression of difference;

• Fostering a team coaching climate, and;

• Codifying fair team decision-making practices.

I’m reminded of our 1/3/25 Leaders Lens: Round Up issue discussing the Culture Reinforcement Cycle.

How we think, model, and act as leaders impacts the cultures we create.

Athletics has taught me how intentional leadership shapes the cultures of the team.

Being a positional leader has taught me that I need to be intentional with setting the norms of our workplace culture so that every voice heard on our team.

As leaders, analyzing our team norms, practices, and dynamics can give us a picture on the employee experience:

• Staff Development: Do our staff have what they need to be successful?

• Inclusive Decision-Making: Why are certain voices heard more than others?

• Employee Retention: What are the factors for a staff member to stay or leave the team?

Team dynamics and belonging are concepts that I could talk about all day, but I want to hear from you on the most pressing needs when it comes to enhancing organizational cultures!

Ray’s Reminders - Speak Life

In this final section, wanted to provide you with some reminders for you:

One of my greatest joys as a dad is speaking life into my kids—giving them titles like "Chess Masters," "Problem Solvers," and "World Changers."

My hope is to plant seeds into their identity, affirming their potential and encouraging them to step into confidence and possibility.

It’s a simple act, but the impact is profound.

When we speak life into others, we’re not just describing who they are—we’re reminding them of who they can become.

Take a moment to reflect this weekend:

• Who in your life could use some encouragement right now?

• What title or affirmation could you offer to uplift their identity and remind them of their strengths?

• And most importantly, are you allowing others to speak life into you, too?

We all need to hear words that remind us of our value, especially in moments of doubt.

Let’s be intentional about speaking life into the people around us—our teams, our families, and even ourselves.

It’s a small gesture that can make a world of difference.

Here’s to being the voice of affirmation and confidence someone needs!

Take care of yourself this weekend, and carry this energy into the week ahead.

Ray

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!

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