As any business owner would tell you, managing and training employees is a big responsibility. Whether you are coaching a small children’s football team or training your staff, everything you say and do sets an example for others. Managing your staff can be likened to parenting your children on how to be successful. In our experience, we have found that employees would respect you if you have experience, but it’s your softer leadership qualities that will make you a great leader and help set behavior expectations for your employees.
A franchisee’s leadership is usually reflected in the company’s turnover rates, revenue, and growth, which are all essential success metrics. However, franchise owners also need the following soft leadership qualities that increase productivity and employee participation for their business to perform at its best.
Clear Values
Great leaders do what is right for their franchise’s long-term health without compromising important values, such as honesty and integrity. They set examples of ethics for their employees and direct reports in everything they do, from the way they manage internal policies to their recruitment methods. Employees notice when managers miss out on an opportunity to make easy money just because they want to do what is right. If you want your workers to have conscience, then you also need to be the kind of person you want your staff to become.
Listening Ears
As a leader, you need to listen actively when one of your employees takes the initiative and shares an idea or concern, so you can respond appropriately. For instance, a scheduling conflict may have an easy fix, but by working together with an employee to resolve issues, you will show that you understand their concerns, clarify their needs, reaffirm ideas, and reply to them with full understanding. Employees who feel that their leaders have a listening ear become better advocates of the company, and the manager also feels more empathy for their staff when they listen.
Ability to Make Good Judgments
Great leaders work together with their employees to come up with solutions for the franchise without compromising integrity. The majority of life occurs outside the black-and-white rules and regulations. However, when a manager is able to guide employees toward thoughtful decision-making and the answers are clear, the workers will see that he is leading by example.
Desire to Improve
Good managers know that there’s something they could learn to do better. Surely, it’s good to show your skills, but showing a willingness to learn better ways to manage employees and handle operations is excellent leadership. When a manager models the value of education in their workplace, it encourages employees to explore additional learning opportunities.
Communication Skills
Communication is one of the most common issues in businesses, including franchises. However, great leaders have good communication skills, know their importance, and continuously try to communicate well with their workers and customers. A sign that a staff manager is a good communicator is when they work well with everybody while staying sensitive and accurate. Even if there is room for improvement, the employees will feel that they are backed by the manager and guided through a wide range of situations.
Foresight
Good leaders look ahead to the franchise business’s future and each employee’s role. Employees like it when a franchise owner has a long-term plan for their franchise. When a leader has a good vision, employees will also be able to imagine how their career development may look like and understand that their contributions are essential for the company’s success.
To lead your franchise successfully, you need to have followers – these are the employees who have trust in your guidance. We encourage you to develop these six soft leadership skills that show that you have integrity and value staff to build your future with a team that appreciates you.
