If you are a leader, or are going to become one, one of your first crucial chores when assuming responsibility for others and taking the scepter of command is to create a working bond, i.e., a person-to-person bond with everyone in your organization or company -- even if that organization or company is a very large one.
You must not only achieve this symbolic but very powerful working bond with all of those persons who will be reporting to you, and to all of the persons who will be working for them --- all of the way down the hierarchical pyramid. It will be time-consuming, but worthwhile.
This process can and should be accomplished with a group of people present (picture a military commander assembling and addressing his troops) or in several segments, each with a group present. The purpose of the group is to bear witness to the bonding act with each individual assembled.
Your job is simple: Using your best posture, and your clearest voice of command, walk up to each of your people , make direct, unflinching eye contact and say, simultaneous with offering a firm handshake, "I'm _______________. What's your name?" [wait for the answer]. Then: "_________________ (stating the person's full first and last name), I'm honored to meet you. Thank you for being here."
Each person you establish eye contact with, shake hands with and address with professional respect, will immediately be taken with your command, and will immediately become 'bonded' [in a profound emotional way which is very difficult to explain in non-technical terms] to you and in your service. The reason for having the others in the group each witnessing this act is multiply its image, strength and memorability.
It is a very special occasion, and you have made it so by sanctifying it with this personal greeting ceremony. It also reinforces the utility of the proceedings by indirectly bonding the whole group together.
Incidentally, this is far more than a mere show - it is a critically important early-stage person-to-person interaction which will serve you in good stead. I strongly advise you to seal the "working bond" with each conquest, acquisition, victory or promotion.
Douglas E. Castle [http://TakingCommand.blogspot.com]
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