Bobcat's Lessons for New Leaders, Part 2

Our new shelter-adopted cat, Bobcat, is large of body and of heart. He is the very model of a modern feline leader! (Okay, the Gilbert & Sullivan reference didn’t quite land there.) In my last post, I described Bobcat’s Lessons for New Leaders—things leaders in new situations can learn from Bobcat’s approach to life. Let’s pick it back up with:

Building Relationships

Investment Pays Off

Bobcat is a people cat. He loves being with “his people” (a.k.a. us). As a new leader, you want your “people” (a.k.a. employees) to feel wanted and valued as well. One of the most important things a new leader needs to do is build relationships and trust. That requires different approaches for different employees.

For some employees, that won’t take much. For others, it will require more frequent (or longer) interactions, assistance, explanations, etc. Get to know people beyond “that’s Bob in accounting.” Find out about their work preferences, work goals, strengths and areas for development, and personal facts they’re comfortable sharing. The more you understand the person behind the desk, the better you can lead and serve them.

Bobcat appreciates that some people need more interaction than others; for him, it usually involves taking longer naps on laps and graciously allowing himself to be petted and admired.

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