8 ways to become a more approachable leader

8 ways to become a more approachable leader8 ways to become a more approachable leaderThemost effective leadersdraw people to them. You know from your own career that while tough, stoic leaders may be revered or even feared, they dont have that gravitas to build a truly great team of high performers.If you want to ensure that your reputation for openness precedes you, read on for tips to improve your approachability.1. Greet everyoneJust saying good morning builds your reputation in small increments every day. When you greet everyone warmly day in and day out, you convey that people matter to you. You let the arbeitszimmer know that yesterdays tensions are in the past and youre ready to meet them all today for fresh new discussions.Dont be choosy with who you acknowledge - greet those you dont work with directly, including the clerical and maintenance staff, if you really want to say, people matter.DoLearn peoples names, and use themMake eye contactDontAsk faux rhetorical questions, like hey, how are you? when you dont have time for a real answer2. Show you carePeople are drawn to those who share a genuine care and concern for others. Set aside time in your week tocheck in with your team. Ask how about their tasks, about barriers theyve encountered, about troubling factors and distractions from outside work.Demonstrating that you care - even when everything is going right - makes it easier for people to come to you when they really need your help.DoGive your full, undivided attentionAsk follow-up questionsReflect and recap what youve heardDontTake on every issue or problem as your own instead, encourage suggestions on ways to move forwardAsk only when you know theres a problem3. Offer helpAsking how can I help? is a powerful tool in the effective leaders toolkit. This simple phrase conveys so much - it signals that youre listening and are willing to aid in the solution. It encourages strategic problem-solving and offers up intervention only where requested, empowering others instead of taking over.DoAllow people to fully answer before offering your own suggestionsBe clear on next stepsFollow up with actions youve agreed toDontSimply take on tasks instead, clear barriers and empower others.4. Ask for helpSimilarly, asking for help is something that great leaders do, and do regularly. The less experienced might incorrectly think that taking the lead means never requiring assistance. Most people genuinely do want to help - its human nature. Asking for help provides opportunity for others to shine in addition to making sure you get the best solution and the right person doing the job.DoBe specific about the problem youre trying to solve and/or the kind of help you needDontAlways ask the same people share opportunity with your entire team.5. Have a sense of humorThere are times that require absolute seriousness, and those that require levity. The best leaders know when to crack a smile, when to add in a joke and when to just laugh along w ith everyone else. Theres no science to it, so think about the leaders youve admired in the past and their approach to humor in the workplace.DoBe willing to laugh at the situationUse a little humor to break tensionDontUse cutting humor at anyones expenseBe too self-deprecating it can be uncomfortable and make others jump to your defense6. Be optimisticOne key leadership quality that is showing up more often on companies most desirable list is optimism. It can be tempting toexpress frustration and cynicismin the face of challenge, but great leaders can acknowledge that there are troubles, while expressing confidence in the team to make the most of it and get things done.Believe in a better future, and then help make it happen. People are drawn to others with a positive outlook.DoStay positive whenever possibleAcknowledge issues, but commit to helping find solutionsDontBe disingenuous. When situations arent ideal, its still possible to believe in the ability to overcome or recover an d to plan better for the future.7. Make time to chatIt may seem most effective to be all business, all the time, but good leadership includes making time to connect with others on a personal level. Get to know people, discuss nonwork matters and ask about them and the things they care about.This doesnt have to take up a large portion of your day and can often be done in the small moments near the coffee machine or the walk to and from a meeting.DoFollow up from previous conversations ask about kids, trips, activities. Show youre invested in what they sayDontForget those who dont seek you out or cross your path regularly. Make sure to ask after the team members who are more quiet or out-of-the-way8. Loosen upTheres always going to be some separation between leaders and those who work with them. While your role may be more formal, try leid to bring that rigidity into your demeanor - people are more likely to approach those who seem more familiar and on their level. When you can, dit ch the tie or the formal attire in addition to the formal attitude.DoBe casual, but not shabbyDontFixate on hierarchy think of your role as leader as facilitator, not dictator.People are most likely to resonate with a leader who feels at their level but with the power to make their jobs easier and more successful. Teams want someone who will help figure out how to do things better and then help make that happen, not someone to assign work and finish tasks for them.If you want to be approachable, think of the ways you can encourage others to come to you when they need you most. Oftentimes, that will be by making time for them even when they dont.Joel Garfinkle conductsexecutive coachingand is the author of Getting Ahead.This column was originally published on SmartBrief.com.