Recognize the Smallest Changes

To encourage others to make desired personal changes, the best leaders understand the role they play, even when the changes have nothing to do with them or the goals of the team. 

Progress is what change is all about, and people need leaders to lend a hand in the process. The help others need most from leaders is to recognize the smallest changes they make. To maintain the momentum of progress, perhaps nothing is more uplifting than a leader who notices even the slightest positive difference in our behavior or approach. 

A leader who knows a team member is working on being more vocal in team meetings might say, “I noticed you spoke up today and really added to the conversation. Keep it up.” That nudge can turbo-charge change. We double down on our commitment to change when others, especially leaders, take notice. Leaders acknowledging even tiny differences can provide a much-needed boost to keep the train of change chugging along. 

The best leaders know what others are working on to improve themselves, and they keep a sharp eye out for noticeable differences when they occur. By calling out the changes they observe, leaders can make a major contribution to others’ progress. Have you noticed that?