In the NY Times this morning there was an article about how several small companies are using algorithms to market specific products like clothing, make-up and wines to different individuals. The concept is to make online shopping more customized for buyers based on their particular needs and buying patterns. The companies look at similar customers and create probable products to ship them each month. So I got to thinking whether a similar concept could be applied to leaders. Using a group of metrics, would it be possible to create monthly tool kits for leaders? What would these tool kits look like and contain?

My response of course is a resounding: Yes!! Why not put together a monthly box of tools specifically targeting an individual leader’s needs. So the wheels began to spin and here are some tool kits I came up with:

1. The Generous Leader Kit

Many of us really want to me more generous with our time and sharing of knowledge, but we aren’t able to make it happen. We are so bogged down in daily routines and tasks that we have difficulty carving out space for generosity to be part of our leadership strategy. Here are some simple ways to be more generous:

• Recognize when a team member or colleague has done something well by shooting them a generosity email- “Proud of you!” or “You did it!”
• Give the team or suggest that the team has an afternoon off when they have put in overtime on a pressing project.
• Reach out to each team member and set up a coffee to just connect and catch up on life and their workload.

[Tweet “Generous leaders offer praise and recognition with ease.”]

 2.  The All Aboard Leader Kit

We want to motivate others but sometimes we don’t know where to begin. So perhaps these leaders need a little push in how to not just motivate but inspire.

• Share a lesson learned that made a meaningful impact on your life. These anecdotes can be very powerful.
• Ask a team member what excites them to get out of bed each morning.
• Put up an online suggestion box to elicit ways to change things up in the workplace. Don’t forget to use the ideas!

3.  The Transparency Leader Kit

Having a work environment with trust and transparency is essential for high performance and innovation. To cultivate a transparent work space:

• Be trustworthy by doing what you say you are going to do.
• Share all the information and encourage everyone you come into contact with to do the same. Hidden facts are destructive.
• Admit when you have made a mistake and avoid blaming other team members or departments. Figure out how to make things work.
• Share some part of your personal life. When we are more vulnerable we become authentic.

[Tweet “A transparent leader models trustworthiness by doing what they say they will do.”]

4.  The Approachable Leader Kit

I often ask leaders what they value most in people they work with and being approachable is always high on the list. Magical outcomes and meaningful relationships are the byproducts of being approachable.

• Create an approachable door policy so people know you can be contacted and asked questions. If you are busy, just tell them when you will get back to them. There is a sense of safety when a leader is welcoming.
• Validate all questions or concerns even if they may seem silly to you. Help others gain perspective by offering alternative paths.
• Keep a positive attitude and make everyone feel you are just one piece of the team, always willing to roll up your sleeves to help.

What other leadership tool kits would you like to receive in the mail?

(photo credit)