Siouxland Magazine - Volume 4 Issue 6

Leading the Way – Leadership Siouxland
By Peggy Smith
We cannot deny that the world is different than it
was a few years back, requiring us as leaders to
view things differently and lead differently. The
hot leadership topics for 2022 and 2023 reflect these
changes. Employee well-being has soared to the top of
businesses’ priorities as they recognize that productivity is
affected if employees aren’t well (physically, mentally, and
emotionally). This emphasis on well-being correlates with
the fact that the main quality employees seek is stability
at work, and employees seek out companies they can
trust. Leaders need to focus on building trust within their
organization’s culture, or they will not be able to secure
loyalty from their workforce. And, “quiet quitters” are
contributing to the problems leaders face in building an
engaged workforce. A quiet quitter is an employee who
has stopped going above and beyond and is doing the
minimal amount of work needed to just “get by”. Daily
headlines emphasize growing concerns over the mental
health of our population. Working from home or hybrid
work schedules have contributed to disconnectedness
and divisiveness.
Good leaders care more about their people than they
do the business. They want their employees to feel
connected, valued, and engaged. In 2022, leadership is
harder than ever. And being a great leader requires the
right perspective – focusing on the people more than the
business. So, what can we do to make a positive difference?
Back in the 1980’s, the buzz word in leadership discussions
was MBWA – Management By Walking Around. The
concept was simple – if leaders simply walk around
and talk to their employees and observe the workplace
and the workforce in action, they will better see and
understand any problems and how to solve them. Today, the
concept is still very valid - but the focus should be more on
seeing and understanding the people. MBWA is a bit harder
now since most of the time we are not physically present
with our employees. So, we must get creative! The more you
know about your employees and understand their personal
situations, what is important to them and what is not, what
energizes them and what they value most, the better leader
you can become.
The most important thing you can do is simply talk to your
employees. Spend time with them virtually and in person,
“see” them with fresh eyes, truly listen to them and hear what
they are saying (and not saying). A quote from an unknown
source states, “Only those who care about you can hear you
when you’re quiet”. Do you know your employees enough to
understand what they are thinking and feeling in situations in
which they do not feel safe in speaking up?
Our employees need to know that we see them, we hear
them, we care about them, and we are here for them. Every
day is a new opportunity to have one more chance to touch
a heart, to encourage a mind, to inspire someone, to make a
positive difference.
The mission of Leadership Siouxland is to develop diverse,
passionate leaders who positively impact our community
for today and tomorrow. Leadership Siouxland began in
1984 and is proud of the over 1200 graduates who make
positive differences each and every day. To learn more,
contact Peggy Smith, Executive Director, at 712-898-
8594 or email info@leadershipsiouxland.org.
Peggy Smith, the Executive Director of Leadership Siouxland.
Siouxland Magazine | BeComing /31
Books
Affirmation
1119 Historic 4th Street, Suite 102
Ask about our workshops!
Journals
CARDS
Crystals
CANDLES
Jewelry
Yoga +
Essential Oils
Bath & Body
Teas
Honey
Hours: Wednesday – Friday: 11am - 5:30pm
Saturday: 11am - 2:00pm
Connect: expansion-center.com
@TheExpansionCenterSiouxland