Why do you stay in the job you are in? Really, why do you? Have you thought about it? Do you stay because you are afraid there is nothing else out there? Or maybe it is because you are just comfortable and you don’t feel like looking for another job, so you just do enough to get by and to collect your paycheck. All the while you slowly become disconnected from those around you.
On the contrary, what if you stay because you feel connected? And you feel a sense of purpose in your role that is bigger than just you? What if you like the people who sit in the cube next to you and across the hall, what if you feel connected to them? Will it make you want to work harder, work smarter, be more creative and stay to grow more into your role or move up the ladder?
The best leaders I know make emotional connections with their people. I am sure I am not alone in that assessment, just think back to your favorite boss, did you feel an emotional connection to him or her? My favorite bosses have always made me feel like I was their only direct report. Here are a few of the qualities they all shared:
o Being responsive, by email and phone
o Intensely concentrating on me when we were meeting, not answering their phone or email
o Giving clear and concise direction in ways I could understand
o Allowing me to be creative with projects, not dictating the way it had to be done
o Challenging me personally and professionally
o Listening even when I knew they did not have the time
o Praising me in the ways I receive praise like quality time and gifts
o Asking and genuinely caring about the things that are important to me
o Understanding that even though I bounce like Tigger all day long, some days I just feel like Eeyore
What qualities about your favorite boss involve an emotional connection to you personally? Do they also do the same things for each of their direct reports? Some connections happen immediately, while others take time to develop. Connections are a two way street, do you allow your boss to connect with you emotionally or do you have your walls built too high? Remember bosses are real people too, with real emotions and real feelings (well, most of them, I have worked with a few not so good ones too!)
Connecting with your boss is a part of life but what about connecting with your Church Management System? Strange connection point I know, but what if I told you, you could connect with the people who built it and the people who use it every day. You can develop a deep connection with the staff of Fellowship Technologies and over 400 other users of Fellowship One at the Dynamic Church Conference.
Please consider making a bigger connection with Fellowship One this year through the conference. We know some of you are experts in Fellowship One and could really help other users.
Can’t wait to connect with you in May! Tammy