Why You Should Put Your Face Out There as a Leader
As a leader, it’s important to be visible and accessible to your employees. This is especially true in the current climate of hybrid work, work from home, and other remote work arrangements. By showing your face, and communicating authentically, you’re able to build trust and credibility, create a sense of connection and belonging, and increase transparency and accountability.
Benefits of being visible as a leader
Build trust and credibility. When your employees can see you and hear from you on a regular basis, they’re more likely to trust you and believe in your vision. A Forbes Coaches Council article states that “When leaders are visible, they are more likely to be seen as approachable, authentic, and trustworthy.”
Create a sense of connection and belonging. When you’re visible and accessible, your employees feel like they’re part of a team and that they can come to you with any questions or concerns. According to a Harvard Business Review study, “89% of employees believe that having a strong sense of belonging at work is important to their overall well-being.”
Increase transparency and accountability. When your employees can see what you’re doing and what decisions you’re making, they feel more informed and connected to the company. A study by the Edelman Trust Barometer found that “78% of employees say that they trust their employer to make decisions that are in the best interests of both the company and its employees.”
How to put your face out there as a leader
There are many ways to put your face out there as a leader. Here are a few ideas:
Introduce yourself to new employees. When new employees start at your company, make it a point to introduce yourself to them and welcome them to the team. This will help them to feel more comfortable and connected to the company.
Have regular check-ins with your employees. Make time to have regular check-ins with your employees to see how they’re doing and to answer any questions they may have. This shows that you care about them and that you’re invested in their success.
Create video messages for your team. Video messages are a great way to connect with your team and to share important information. You can use video messages to announce new initiatives, share company updates, or simply to say hello and let your team know that you’re thinking of them. LoopingBack.ai can help with this.
Host virtual meetings and events. Virtual meetings and events are a great way to bring your team together and to create a sense of community. You can host virtual meetings to discuss projects, share ideas, or to simply socialize. You can also host virtual events, such as happy hours, team-building exercises, or educational workshops.
Use social media to connect with your employees. Social media is a great way to connect with your employees on a more personal level. You can use social media to share photos and videos from company events, to share articles and blog posts that you find interesting, or to simply share your thoughts and reflections.
Additional tips for putting your face out there as a leader
Be genuine and authentic. When you’re putting your face out there, it’s important to be genuine and authentic. People can tell when you’re being fake, so it’s important to be yourself and to let your personality shine through.
Be consistent. Don’t just put your face out there once or twice a year. Make an effort to be visible and accessible to your employees on a regular basis. The quarterly all-hands is not enough.
Be open to feedback. When you’re putting your face out there, it’s important to be open to feedback. Listen to what your employees have to say and use their feedback to improve your leadership skills. The best way to do this is to use platforms (like LoopingBack.ai) that allow your team to show you THEIR face as well.
Here are some additional ways to put your face out there as a leader:
Write blog posts or articles. Sharing your thoughts and insights on relevant topics can help to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry and build trust with your employees.
Speak at industry events. Sharing your knowledge and expertise with others is a great way to build your reputation and connect with potential customers and partners.
Get involved in your community. Volunteering your time or supporting local businesses is a great way to give back and show your commitment to the community.
Be active on social media. Sharing behind-the-scenes content from your company or participating in relevant conversations can help you to connect with your employees and other stakeholders on a more personal level.
By putting your face out there as a leader, you can create a more engaged and productive workforce