“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
Although Gandhi’s words and teachings are typically applied to humankind predominantly, much of his advice can be perfectly suited and tailored to the workplace setup.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
One of the simplest ways to successfully lead and encourage employees is to steer by example. After all, actions speak louder than words—especially to employees. It’s a leader’s responsibility to inspire and encourage employees to push themselves to reach peak performance.
Since employees tend to contemplate every move their employers make, employers must conduct themselves accordingly. For instance, if office gossip is distracting workers and hurting office culture, steer the conversation away from such talk. If employees don’t take responsibility for their mistakes, show them how it’s done by openly accepting accountability when necessary.
This advice from Gandhi can also refer to a company’s philanthropic efforts. Not only can corporate giving have a lasting effect on a community, but it can also benefit a company’s image, teamwork, employee engagement and morale. A company that serves together thrives together.
To breed happy, loyal employees, actively show them just how much they’re relished and esteemed within the workplace. Recognize employees for their achievements or celebrate important employee milestones. Even a simple “thank you” can make a world of difference to employees. So you are the change that you wish to see…