Over the years, Lonnie Mayne has led companies through mergers and acquisitions. He has overcome challenging times, like managing new teams and processes in a business setting. Through these challenges, he found himself constantly asking how he could turn down negative noise and develop the full potential of his people and organization.
Lonnie took the time to discover new ways to respectfully have tough conversations, handle company changes, and build team trust and resilience. He took initiative to inspire others to show up for work feeling excited for their day. These steps he took towards discovering a new way to treat his people now shapes his program, Red Shoes Living, which supplies a leadership framework for happier, engaged teams. The framework can also be applied to shaping company culture, creating “Red Shoes” experiences for customers and employees’ personal lives.
Red Shoes Living includes five elements to boost employee engagement and has been a proven solution for building happier, more productive, more innovative, more collaborative, and more savvy teams. These five elements include:
1. Awareness
Being aware, no matter the situation, can be critical in life. Take the time to walk around with your head up and be aware of the little things. Choosing to be aware and engaged in the world can help you in personal and professional settings. Whether it’s on a walk and noticing the beauty around you, or dealing with a disgruntled employee, it’s important that you are present and aware at all times. This awareness will allow you to see your employees and customers as people first, which can be key when problem-solving.
2. Gratitude
Having a gracious attitude towards your team and customers can go a long way in the workplace. Being grateful for their hard work, input and other efforts lets them know that they are appreciated. A lot of the time, sources of frustration from employees and customers can stem from not feeling important or heard. Gracious attitudes can lessen the possibility of these feelings arising. It also will inspire higher productivity and job satisfaction because employees will feel like the organization values their efforts and keeps their best interest in mind.
3. Everyone Has a Story
Keep in mind that everyone has a story that influences their lives. Whether it’s their background or just something that happened to them that day, keep in mind that sources of happiness and frustration are influenced by many things. Taking the time to understand someone’s story will not only help problem solve, but it will make them feel heard and appreciated. Understanding the root of thoughts and actions can be important when motivating employees, resolving issues with a customer, or connecting with your team in a more meaningful way. By taking the time to listen, the team will have more respect for you.
4. Respect and Kindness
When team leaders see potential in employees, hold them accountable for it, and treat them with kindness and respect, employees are much more likely to give their all. In the workplace, respect and kindness can be great, small motivators that make a large impact. Being genuinely kind and respectful towards team members and customers will serve you well in the long run.
5. Put Yourself Out There
Putting yourself out there and getting out of your comfort zone will not only benefit your growth but will also benefit your team. Don’t be afraid to advocate for employees or go the extra mile for customers. Those around you will see you as someone who has their best interest in mind and someone who isn’t afraid to apply yourself to do better. By constantly putting yourself out there, you will not only grow as a leader, but as a person, as well.
By sharing these elements and action in the workplace, Lonnie Mayne has encouraged many to become better leaders. He shares the idea that while everyone shows up to work, your leadership influences employee actions once they arrive.
Lonnie Mayne applies his Red Shoes Living way of life to build company cultures where people feel like they’re doing work that matters. It builds leaders that hold their teams accountable while giving individuals the space to develop their strengths, facilitating flight, and guaranteeing the organization’s success. These are all important components of business that Lonnie noticed when shadowing his business mentors and as an executive.
For more information about Lonnie Mayne and his Red Shoes Living philosophy, please visit the website.