Are you a cheerleader for your team?
“Cheerleader” – the song of summer 2015! This surprise hit by a little-known Jamaican singer named Omi (real name: Omar Samuel Pasley) has been scooting up the charts like Donald Trump’s ratings. Here’s the song in case you haven’t heard it:
I have often found myself humming “Cheerleader”. For some strange reason, it has stimulated some insights about leadership:
Communication:
- It’s catchy. Omi said he woke up one morning humming this “little Jamaican nursery rhyme” so no wonder it appeals to us! By the second chorus we can all sing along, “Oh I think I found myself a cheerleader.” Effective communication needs to be catchy – simple, clear and repeatable. Your strategy should be explained so simply that everyone understands it without having to revert to complex models or presentations. Your team must get the essence, the “chorus”, correctly and quickly.
- The lyrics are simple, positive and sweet, with the message being one of love, praise and appreciation. Who doesn’t want some of that? We connect with others at the level of emotion, so to connect positively, you need to come from a place of love (or “caring” if you are still uncomfortable using the word “love” at work). Your communication should be positive, appreciative and from the heart in order to resonate and motivate.
- Omi’s voice itself is so sweet – he sounds like a man in love, which aligns so well with the lyrics. The tone of your voice should be in alignment with your words, your body language and your actions. This is what makes you genuine and what makes your team believe in and trust you.
Persistence:
Omi first started writing the song in 2008. He had great faith in this song, searching for new partners, trying to find the right mix that would take him to #1, revising, refining, remixing. He collaborated with other talents wherever in the world he could find them – Jamaica, Hawaii, Dubai, mainland USA and eventually Germany where he found a young German DJ, Felix Jaehn, who got the mix right. Then there was no stopping his meteoric rise on the global charts.
From this I am reminded how important it is to be clear on and stay focused on your goal, but not tied to your strategy. Be willing to try new things, collaborate with new people and keep searching until you get it right. “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again” applies as much to Omi as to leaders.
Leader as cheerleader:
Sings Omi:
“When I need motivation
My one solution is my queen
‘Cause she stays strong yeah yeah
She is always in my corner
Right there when I want her.”
The effective leader does many things well – one is to be a cheerleader for his/her team members. Just like Omi, your team members need motivation; they need you to be in their corner and to be strong for them. Of course that doesn’t mean that you support them without question in whatever they do. That would not be in their best interest nor in yours. You role is to help your team members develop and grow and that means correcting them when needs be. Being a cheerleader does NOT mean accepting poor performance or mediocrity.
Much gratitude to Omi for his lovely, happy song, but more so for his lessons for leaders – be clear on your message, be persistent with your strategy and be a cheerleader for your team. Maybe then you too will be Number One!
For similar blogs by Marguerite (click to view article):
TAKE ONE ACTION
Listen to “Cheerleader” – crank up the music like a teenager, sing along and then sit quietly for a few moments to ponder this question: To what extent am I a genuine cheerleader for my team? Then, write 2 tasks you commit to doing tomorrow that will make you a true and genuine cheerleader.
INTERESTING LINKS
14 Things Productive People Do in the First 15 Minutes of Their Workday:
You can’t get more practical than this – 14 things you can do in the first 15 minutes of your workday in order to be more productive. Doing even one of these consistently will make a significant difference. Try it!
– click to view article
Thinking Like A Leader – Three Big Shifts:
This article discusses 3 mindset shifts that you can make in order to think like, and therefore become, a leader.“Cheerleader” inspired.
– click to view article
On a lighter note, Jimmy Fallon seems to LOVE “Cheerleader”
