Staying current is a leadership must.
Without it, hurt feelings, unmet expectations, and disappointments can fester and build into something very damaging to a workplace.
Staying current brings to light issues so they can be discussed and dealt with. If not, they will only fester in the recesses of our hearts and minds where we will most likely make a bigger deal out of them than they really are.
This is also true in researching marriage successes. Couples who stay current or “check in” with each other (sometimes multiple times a day) stand a much higher chance of having a healthy marriage. This need is no different for management teams or direct report positions.
I am not suggesting a micromanaging style of leadership but simply keeping the communication channels open and honest.
So, if you are naturally a conflict avoider, press into potentially difficult conversations knowing that “staying current” will help defuse tense issues that will inevitably turn into bigger problems later.
And if you tend to be a more abrasive or dominant personality, take the opportunity to practice listening and understanding while staying current with your team.
