Leadership is a numbers game.
The equation revolves around how many people you can positively impact on a daily basis. That is, how many people can you lead.
In order to lead effectively, you must communicate effectively.
When an intermediary is involved (you talk to the foreman; the foreman spreads your message to his crews), your leadership potential is halved.
Why?
The odds of your message being relayed effectively - without distortion or major/minor changes - decreases with each additional link in the chain.
Direct communication is best.
One-to-one.
Me to you.
But you’re busy.
How can this scale?
Your leadership and communication can scale when you use multiple modes of delivery.
Emails.
Posters.
Post-it notes.
Voicemails.
MP3’s.
Toolbox talks.
Brief chat at break.
(And yes - relayed messages from foremen to their crews.)
Collectively these modes of communication enable your leadership… if your workers are primed.
Workers that are primed want to hear your message.
They are open.
They are willing.
They want to help.
That’s a big IF.
What’s the easiest way to prime workers?
Acknowledge them.
As our jobsites increasingly transition to more than 50% Hispanic, simply acknowledging your workforce can help increase the likelihood your communication - and your leadership - will be acknowledged.
So what percentage of workers do you acknowledge every day?
Say “hi.”
Say “hola.”
Say “please.”
Say “porfa.”
Say “thank you.”
Say “gracias.”
Say “excellent!”
Say “excelente!”
Or say nothing at all, but do...
Smile.
Throw a thumbs-up.
Give a pat on the back.
Do something to acknowledge their work.
Yes, leadership is a numbers game.
But more importantly, it’s a people game.
Manage things.
Lead people.