Ways to Better Serve Your Leader

We’re an entitled people. There’s no question about it. You have the exceptions, and I certainly wouldn’t argue that. But for the most part, we expect to be treated a certain way, and we treat people based on how they treat us. So, in the work world, that can be tough. Because not all of us have wonderful leaders.

I’m Josh’s executive assistant. Executive assistant to the CEO – sounds intimidating, right? My entire job revolves around making things flow smoothly for Josh. To an outsider, that may seem like an immense amount of pressure. It’s not. And the reasoning is simple – Josh is a phenomenal leader. He’s easy to serve.

This is not my first job, but I can say it’s my first job where I feel like I have full support from both of my uplines. So let me be very clear in saying that although it’s easy to serve my leader now, that has not always been the case. I have found though that even with leaders that aren’t so great, you can help them be better by serving them the best that you can.

Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that’s the case all the time. It’s important to recognize that not all higher-ups are ideally suited for their roles. However, I believe you’ll find that the more you support and serve your leader effectively, the more likely they are to reciprocate and support you in return.

So, let’s discuss a few ways to do just that.

Communicate Clearly and on a Regular Basis

I meet with both of my uplines at least once a week. It’s on the same day, at the same time, every week. It’s listed on my calendar as a “Connect” and that’s exactly what it is. About 15-30 minutes of connecting and discussing any issues that need to be resolved, tasks that need to be completed, questions that need to be asked, information that needs to be verified, etc.

Take some time to prepare for those connects! As I work through each day, I keep a notepad handy and I write down anything that comes to mind that I need to discuss in our meeting. I also take a final few minutes before the meeting and make sure there’s nothing that needs to be added. For me, it’s crucial to have a bullet point list ready to go. It saves the hassle of thinking things through on the spot. It also saves time on both ends, which we’ll talk about in my next point.

Not all jobs are desk jobs, and I get that. Some people don’t have the capability to schedule set meetings with their uplines. So find a way that works for you. Maybe it’s putting notes into your phone as you think of them and sending an email once a week. Maybe it’s touching base for two minutes at the start of your shift every day. The point, your leader will appreciate being informed and not having things dropped on them last minute.

Respect Their Time

Generally speaking, leaders have a lot to do and lead very busy work days, so respecting their time is a crucial part of serving them well.

If it doesn’t need a meeting, don’t ask for one. Perhaps an issue can be resolved over email or texting on a work phone. If it is something that requires a face to face, choose the most convenient time for them. If it’s retail, maybe it’s first thing in the morning when things are still slow. If it’s office-related, maybe it’s mid-morning so your leader has time to deal with urgent matters first.

Any interaction you have with your leader should be concise and to the point. Prioritize the most pressing issues and save the rest for later. Don’t build to the point. Start with the point and leave out unnecessary details. If they want more information, they will ask.

Be mindful of deadlines. Meet them. Unless there is a blocker that you have no control over, meet your deadlines. If there is a blocker, alert who needs to be alerted and take note of that communication. I think we can all understand the letdown feeling when we think something is going to happen at a specific time and it doesn’t. Imagine being a leader where it not only affects you, but also your whole team and maybe even the people above you. Do your part. And do it in a timely manner.

Be Reliable

Show up on time. Seems simple enough, right? I think at every prior job I’ve worked there’s always been at least one team member that is five to ten minutes late every single day. It’s frustrating for the leader and the team. Don’t be that person. Be the person that your leader can count on to be on time for your shift, meetings, projects, etc. Let’s not be unrealistic. Things do happen on occasion that are out of our control. In that case, be sure to let your leader know if you’ll be late or unable to attend.

It’s also important to be reliable in your consistency. We all have things going on outside of work and let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to give it our all. I worked at Kohl’s for almost five years. My department team had a saying, “If it’s not work-related, leave it at the door.” It’s a hard statement, mostly because we’re emotional beings (some more than others) and we tend to let our emotions control our attitude and actions. You heard some bad news before work, leave it at the door. You had an argument with your significant other, leave it at the door. You’re anxious about an upcoming family event, leave it at the door.

My goal is not to be insensitive here. If something traumatic has happened and you are unable to work efficiently, by all means take a personal day and take care of yourself. But here’s my point, in order to serve your leader well, they need to be able to anticipate the same work performance every single day that you are there.

Be Adaptable

We’ve all heard it. Some of us have probably even said it. “That’s not my job!” Again, we’re an entitled people. Wipe that thought from your mind. Be who your leader needs you to be.

Embrace change. Be open to new ideas and processes. Take the opportunity to learn from it and show a willingness to not only learn, but to go above and beyond. If you have down time at your job (which I know is rare), fill it with something. Do research related to your job. Ask other people if you can help them with a task. Clean something! Now I know I’m stepping on some toes. I can almost hear someone say, “But that’s not in my job description.” That’s ok! Be willing to do things out of your job description and comfort zone. Your leaders and your team members will appreciate you for it.

Stay positive. I was a Department Supervisor at another job. One of the most discouraging things is to see people unhappy at their jobs. There could be reasons for it and that’s a different post. But we can choose to be happy. Even if it’s not a job that you love, choose joy. Your optimism will help motivate and encourage your leader and your team.

Seek Feedback

Chances are you get some type of performance review or end of year meeting. Use them to learn and grow. But also, don’t be afraid to seek feedback at other times. Ask specific questions. What can I do to improve in this area? How can I better support you and my team members? Are there any training opportunities that you think would help me? Asking questions shows initiative. It also shows that you are looking for ways to better serve your leader.

Remember to be open-minded when receiving feedback. It’s not always easy or enjoyable to hear about your shortcomings, but it’s an essential part of personal and professional growth. Approach the feedback with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. After receiving it, take the time to reflect on what was said and identify specific actions you can take to improve. Write them down if it helps. And be sure to follow up with your leader. This step is crucial as it shows that you are committed to making changes and value their input.

These are all great ways to intentionally serve your leader, but there are so many others. What other ways come to your mind? Share with us in the comments!