Workplace leadership specialist, educator and award-winning author Pierre Battah spoke on both days of the Hardlines Conference.
With his wit and insight, Battah delved into discussions on the importance of leadership, particularly in elevating the voices of others and fostering a positive work environment. Day two’s talk revolved around many topics, including employee retention and psychological safety.
The role of employee management often falls on others, not just the person in the HR department, he said. The people you work alongside and mentor should keep you “mindful of the fact that your next generation of leaders in your company are probably already there,” and they will need a good leader.
Leaders should also provide positive feedback on a regular basis, particularly in a 5:6:1 ratio of positive to negative feedback to maintain employee engagement and motivation. Implement a system to “catch people doing things right” and recognize their contributions, he suggested. He also outlined the 12 elements of employee engagement, one of which is psychological safety.
Building psychological safety involves recognizing the importance of using people’s strengths and developing their emotional intelligence. Employees must feel safe to express themselves and take risks without fear of humiliation.
