Most of us have seen the post on LinkedIn of a list titled, “10 Things That Require Zero Talent.” They are common-sense traits that will make a person stand out when they start a job, regardless of one’s experience. As a leader, you have the opportunity to not only share these qualities, but you can coach your people on how to live up to them. I like to use analogies and phrases because they stick in people’s minds.
Here are some ways to coach these traits:
1. Be on time: At a person’s start time or meeting, they should be there ready to start, not walking in. Teach about “Lombardi Time,” where Coach Vince Lombardi taught his team, “If you are on time, you are late.” Even as a lifelong Bears fan, I still share this quote.
2. Work ethic: A job worth doing, is worth doing well. For young people, working for you may be their first job. Coach them with, “There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.”
3. Effort: People often associate effort with trying. I agree with Yoda, who said “Do or do not. There is no try.” The initial effort is easy, but putting in extra effort when no one is looking or when things get hard makes a difference. If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right!
4. Body language: Many people entering the workplace are used to communicating through texting. People just coming out of school spent much of their time being taught via video. They may not know how to read body language, and they might not know how their own body language sends a message. Assume your people aren’t aware of the vibe they are giving off, and give them some subtle coaching. Emotion always has its roots in the unconscious and manifests itself in the body.
5. Energy (Motivation): You can’t teach people to be motivated, but as a leader, you can inspire them. Be the leader you would want to follow.
6. Attitude: A positive attitude is tough to teach, but a positive attitude brings positive results. I’ll take a middle-of-the-road talent with a positive attitude over a talented person who is toxic any day.
7. Passion: The fire of passion gets stoked by a good leader, and nothing will kill a person’s passion faster than a poor leader. Giving people responsibilities and letting them fail is much more effective in the long run, rather than micromanaging someone to succeed.
8. Be coachable: Help your people take coaching as encouragement, not criticism. The key is in how you deliver the message. People won’t remember what you did, people won’t remember what you said, but people will always remember how you made them feel.
9. Do extra: There is an easy and quick way and a better way. When given a choice between the high road and the low road, always choose the high road. It may take more effort, but it has a heck of a view!
10. Be prepared: Fast is slow, and slow is fast. Taking the time to get one’s thoughts in order before communicating something will make for a more concise message and save time because people will understand what is being said. Joe Hardy of 84 Lumber would tell his people, “Always bring a pen and paper to a meeting. You might not write down anything important, but at least I feel like you are listening to me.”
Taking the time to coach the 10 traits that require zero talent can significantly impact your team’s performance and culture. As a leader, your ability to inspire, guide, and support your people by helping them embody these traits will lead to more motivated and successful associates.
