This week, our family brought home a new puppy. “Nati,” as we call her, just may be the sweetest 12-week-old boxer we’ve ever met. She left her home that included her two brothers from the same litter and both parents. Now, she is the newest one in our home, and it’s our job to make her feel welcomed, loved, safe and secure.
We’ve been cognizant of this, knowing she must be a bit frightened in unfamiliar surroundings with all new people (and no other dogs.) For the past few days, we have adjusted our normal routine to make sure Nati feels confident and knows that she can flourish in our family. We want to bring out her puppy playfulness and diminish any fear and skittishness.
As many of you know, I recently relocated to Dallas from Cincinnati, where I grew up. I’ve been pushing myself “out there” to meet new people and get connected in my local area. I also reached out to several social media connections and friends-of-friends who share similar interests. Even for an outgoing extravert like me, this can be a little intimidating at times.
Several people have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome here in Texas. Dondi Scumaci, in particular, has increased her supportive and encouraging communication with me. We’ve never met in person; only through Twitter and Facebook.
Did I mention that Dondi doesn’t even live in the DFW area? She’s actually in San Antonio but often comes to this region for business and the airport. That didn’t matter to her. We are “close enough,” and she offered to meet in person once I feel settled. This means so much to me, as I admire her professionally and personally; not to mention the fact that I know she is very busy. And here she is, going out of her way to increase our connection and welcome me to her state. I’m impressed. And I’m deeply grateful…especially since everyone I reached out to didn’t take this same initiative. (One person even “welcomed” me by excitedly trying to sell me a seat at an upcoming seminar she was hosting. Did she miss that I was looking for connection?)
Dondi personifies a wonderful leadership trait. She is welcoming.
When we are welcoming to others, we encourage them to put fear aside and contribute the best of who they are. We help others to feel comfortable, confident and free to offer opinions, ideas and thoughts. We encourage creativity, innovation and diversity. We don’t need everyone to be “just like us,” and we value those differences.
Here are some questions to consider, as you think about how welcoming you are as a leader:
- Do you seek out people that are new to your organization or new to a position? Do you go out of your way to ease their fears and bring out their strengths? Do you offer assistance in breaking down barriers and obstacles to help them become more successful more quickly? Do you offer to help get them connected to valuable resources more quickly?
- Do you seek out diversity of thought, background, experience, gender, ethnicity, appearance? What do you do to invite people “not like you” into the conversation and do you try to learn from their unique perspective? Do you celebrate them and their ideas?
- Do you seek to add value in every personal encounter? Do you regularly ask, “How can I help you?” or “What can I do to help you be more successful?”
- Do you very simply smile and make direct eye contact? Do you know people by name and/or know a few personal things about them? Do you ask open-ended questions and sincerely listen to their responses?
In every situation, both professional and personal, we should all strive to make people feel welcome and to welcome their thoughts and ideas. Leadership is not about you; it’s truly about everyone else. The more you show them you care, the more they will give you their best in return.
Do your best to look for someone who may need to feel welcomed. Be a leader. Be an example. Be an inspiration. Be the bright spot in someone’s day. Be the one. I welcome you to try!
Erin Schreyer is President of Sagestone Partners and is a Certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker. Erin is passionate about building into people and bringing out their leadership qualities to help them excel in all areas of life.
Erinschreyer.com 