Being a visible leader is not always easy, as many things within a business can distract you from connecting with your team in person. Emails or phone calls can be an effective way to manage your relationships with your employees, but while they are useful tools, the power of in-person leadership cannot be understated.

Building Trust

Think about all the people that currently have your full trust. Now, think about how many people you’ve met in person. The list is most likely pretty small regarding people you trust and have never met. In many companies, the size of your operations can become an excuse for those who fail to build that trust in person.

If you are a CEO or a manager who has never taken the time to meet your people in person, how can you expect any of them to care for your ideas and leadership honestly? The power of personal interactions with your team can be the difference between someone showing up just for a paycheck or becoming a cornerstone of your team and business to grow with you.

The Power of Visibility

It can be difficult to meet every single person within your company because of the time required. While it may be tough, the results that come from that personal interaction will be much more impactful than sending an email, text, or even a phone call. You have to connect with your people to manage them successfully and keep them not only interested in the job but also in growing with the company and investing themselves in its success.

Being present shows others that you’re invested in the moment without words. Imagine if the president of the United States just sent a public email to everyone with the State of the Union. It would relay the same information but wouldn’t be nearly as effective in delivering the message.

Take the time to visit your employees more often at their offices, or if you are already in the same office, spend some more time with them! Take them to lunch or even stop by their desk to build that trust. Delivering messages in person also brings an air of assurance and personalization to people, as they can see the emotion and presence you bring. Ensure you are as visible as possible to your people to help your interactions and trust with employees.