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This is the story of a highly successful businessman – intelligent, driven, and infectiously charismatic. He was loved and respected by thousands. His diagnosis with a brain tumor sent shockwaves through all who knew him.

But to a person who worked with him, it was one quiet act that resonated more than any other. He learned that her mother was in the hospital where he went for treatments. He took it on his own to stop and visit her, to offer encouragement. After the visit, she called her daughter and said, excitedly “You’ll never guess who just visited me!”

This quiet act of care underscored his greatness as a leader.

John Maxwell shares this quote often.

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

And he’s right.

Think about the five leaders in your life who have meant the most to you. Now, think about the things they have in common.

Chances are that the word “care” comes to mind.

• “He genuinely cared about the people on his team.”
• “She went to great lengths to take care of her team.”

Care is a very basic human need. A baby can die from lack of care, and while adults may not admit it, everyone needs to have people in their lives who care.

There are those who advocate a disconnected form of leadership, where leaders are advised to keep a distance from their team and not become too familiar with their people. While there is wisdom in keeping a professional space, there is also the need for connection and care.

Those five leaders who have meant the most to you likely had the ability to garner respect while also being a genuine, caring person.

Yes, you can do both.

How do you show your team you care?

Ask for their ideas and input.

No one likes to be bossed. But leadership is something quite different. Leadership is sharing goals, collaborating on initiatives, and asking for ideas and input. This crosses all lines and levels in the organization, because each person brings a unique set of strengths, skills, and experience. Give everyone a platform to share their expertise.

Walk a mile in their shoes.

If you have ever watched the Undercover Boss show, you know that the boss comes away with a great deal of enlightenment from walking a mile in the shoes of his or her people. They get great ideas, see where the business can be improved, and learn about their team members on a more personal level.

They may learn that the cheerful cashier is facing insurmountable challenges with a special needs child and struggling to make ends meet; or that the up-and-coming manager just got diagnosed with cancer. They learn these things from working with their team members, not from getting a memo delivered to their office. This direct interaction with team members helps them learn to care for their team members as individuals.

Show that you care.

Find ways to actively and appropriately communicate care to your team members.

Here are some ideas.

• Leave a handwritten note on their desk, noting something specific they did that made a difference to the team, the customer, or the company. Just being noticed and acknowledged goes a long way. People have been known to save such notes for years, tattered and tucked into a wallet or purse.
• Listen to the interests of your team members and refer to them in conversation.
  • “How was Johnny’s first day of school?”
  • “Did you see that game this weekend?”
  • “Did you paint that picture on the wall of your office? It’s amazing!”
• Provide appropriate gifts. “How’s that new baby? My wife and I found this bracelet with her name on it when we were out shopping this weekend. We wanted you to have this.”
• If recognition is important to a team member, call them out for something they have contributed to in a team meeting.
• If someone is going through a hard time, find a way to encourage them.

Share the rewards.

It is one thing for a leader to reach goals and receive rewards. It is quite another for that same leader to, in turn, share those rewards with their team. Be the kind of leader who shares the reward with those who helped you earn it.

Culture is very much about caring for your people. And what happens when you do care – and show it – is amazing!

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!