Leadership Development: How well do you brag about your staff?

Singing the praises of your staff - in a meaningful and appropriate way - is an important leadership move to master and one that has implications up, down, and across the organization. Yet, many managers and executives are reluctant to share their teams' success stories with others. Why? Perhaps it's because of their upbringing, or stories they've heard about how certain braggarts got their just desserts. But here's the shift - sharing good news like this is not so much about making you look good as it is about showcasing the skills and talents of your direct reports AND your boss, for that matter.

Bragging about your employees will benefit them because:

• Employees get enough bad news ... the good news will be seen as a refreshing change
• Employees will appreciate the recognition up the chain and the kudos that will most-likely flow back to them as a result of it
• Employees will see that you're proud of them which may very well bolster their pride in themselves
• Employees tend to appreciate appreciation
• Employees like being seen as part of the success community
• Employees like knowing that they're doing important work

And bragging about your employees will benefit your boss because:

• Your boss gets enough bad news ... the good news will be seen as a refreshing change (it's everywhere!)
• Your boss gets some stories to share with his/her boss ... and others inside and out of the organization
• Your boss will most-likely receive kudos from his/her boss
• Your boss will most-likely be recognized for his/her leadership acumen

Undeniably, you'll benefit, too. But if that's stopping your from sharing these successes with others, consider it an incidental and unavoidable byproduct of your ultimate goal - helping your staff and boss look good, feel great, and be motivated.

In this context, bragging about your staff's achievements is a pretty selfless act. And an indispensable leadership development move.

Leadership Development Link