Hello,
After reading your discussion post, I do agree with the leadership behavior Encouraging
the Heart because one of the major reasons why employees are not satisfied according to the
survey is due to lack of recognition from leadership especially from supervisors. Recognition is
so important to make the employees feel that their hard work or efforts are valued and each
single one of them has a role to play in contributing to the success of the organization. By
recognizing and rewarding employee’s work, we not only highlight their potential but also
encourage other people to do the same and to follow the footsteps of hard charger employees.
However, although inspiring a shared vision can be a great help to improve employee
satisfaction, this shouldn’t be the main focus because it doesn’t have the lowest decline on the
survey. I find it successful because of the example questions under inspiring a shared vision
which are: “Committed to helping employees fulfill their family and other responsibilities”
which has -12% decrease change and “In my job I have clearly defined quality goals” which has
-4% decrease change. In my suggestion, you should consider focusing on Model the Way for
behavior because the only way you can have individuals buy into a shared vision is if leaders or
individuals will start within themselves by being authentic. Being authentic in a way that they
assess their needs, values, goals or the purpose why they do things the way they are. After they
conduct individual assessment, they will be able to find out their commonalities and come up
with a shared vision or goals. According to Chapter 13(Kouzes), “Before you can lead others,
you have to believe that you have a positive impact on others. You have to believe that your
values are worthy and what you do matters. You have to believe that your words can inspire and
your actions can move others. Moreover, you have to be able to convince others that the same is
true for them”. Therefore, before we inspire or influence others to do the same, we have to do an
individual assessment and personal development first.
