Why Being Close to Your Team Matters

Hey there, it's Katrina Young, and I'm excited to talk about the importance of proximity and leadership in business. As a leader, your proximity to your team is critical to their success and the success of the business. In this article, I'll explain why being close to your team matters, share some statistics on the impact of proximity on leadership, and provide some tips for being a more proximate leader.

First, let's start with some statistics. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, 68% of employees say that managers who have more face-to-face time with their team have better relationships with their employees. Additionally, a study by CareerBuilder found that 58% of employees say that their boss's management style directly affects their job satisfaction.

Now, let's dive into the importance of proximity and leadership in business.

1. Trust and Communication

One of the most significant benefits of being a proximate leader is that it helps to build trust and communication with your team. When you're physically present and engaged with your team, they're more likely to trust you and communicate openly with you. This can lead to better problem-solving, more effective decision-making, and stronger relationships between you and your team.

Action Points:

- Make time to have face-to-face interactions and conversations with your team members.

- Be open and transparent in your communication with your team.

- Listen actively to your team members and provide feedback.

2. Building Relationships

Another benefit of being a proximate leader is that it helps you to build stronger relationships with your team. When you're physically present and engaged with your team, you're better able to understand their needs, strengths, and weaknesses. This can help you to build a stronger team and foster a more positive work environment.

Action Points:

- Take an interest in your team members' personal and professional lives.

- Recognise and acknowledge their accomplishments and contributions.

- Celebrate successes and milestones together as a team.

3. Leading by Example

Being a proximate leader also allows you to lead by example. When you're physically present and engaged with your team, you're setting an example for them to follow. This can help to create a positive work culture and foster a sense of community and collaboration within your team.

Action Points:

- Be an active listener and encourage your team members to share their ideas and perspectives.

- Set clear expectations and goals for your team.

- Lead by example and demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes that you want to see in your team.

Useful Resources and Tools

Being a proximate leader requires a lot of resources and tools. Here are some of the most useful resources and tools that I've used:

- Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet

- Collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams

-Self-Development Tools

-Training Programs

- Project management tools like Asana and Trello

- Survey tools

- Coaching & Mentoring

- Feedback tools like Google Forms and Typeform

Action Points

If you're looking to be a more proximate leader, here are some action points to get started:

1. Make time to have face-to-face conversations with your team members.

2. Take an interest in your team members' personal and professional lives.

3. Be an active listener and encourage your team members to share their ideas and perspectives.

4. Set clear expectations and goals for your team.

5. Lead by example and demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes that you want to see in your team.

Being a proximate leader is critical to your team's and your business's success. By building trust and communication, building relationships, and leading by example, you can create a positive work culture and