Not long ago, I was confronted with a crisis involving a team member. My boss, though aware of the situation, seemed perpetually out of reach.
After weeks of trying, he finally agreed to meet me to discuss this pressing issue — not in a private meeting room, but on a public bus en route to an event.
As I tried to provide context and seek guidance, my leader’s attention was fixed on his phone. I found myself competing with a digital conversation. Throughout our talk, his eyes never left the screen, leaving me to feel unseen, unheard, and frankly, abandoned.
That day, I understood the sting of inaccessibility and the silent message it sends — you’re on your own.
Have you found yourself on the giving end of this unfortunate experience?
Keep listening if you struggle to find time for the people you lead and get 3 tips on how you can be the accessible leader you strive to be.
Find the full transcript and other resources for women leaders at: https://livingwhileleading.com/35
Challenges that Distance Women Leaders from Their Teams
In your pursuit to lead with excellence, you may encounter several challenges that inadvertently create distance between you and your team. Despite your best intentions, may find it difficult to grant the kind of access that fosters trust, mentorship, and innovation.
Let’s explore these obstacles and how you can overcome them to embrace a leadership style that is both inclusive and impactful.
- The first hurdle is your calendar. It’s filled with back-to-back meetings, leaving little to no room for spontaneous check-ins or deep discussions. You have a lot of obligations, and every minute of your day seems accounted for.
- You’re probably a multitasking champion. However, this strength can become a pitfall when it fractures your focus. When you’re constantly switching gears, you risk offering only bits of your attention where, instead, your full presence is needed.
- Although it’s your intention to have an open-door policy, the reality is that layers of bureaucracy and the expectation of formal scheduling creates barriers. Accessibility is not just physical, it’s psychological. If your team believes they need to jump through hoops for a moment of your time, you’ve already lost valuable ground.
All of these reasons underscore the need for intentional strategies to ensure you remain not just a figure of authority but also a pillar of support.
The Risks of Leadership Inaccessibility for Women Executives
Before we dive into the risks associated with being an unreachable leader, it’s essential to consider why accessibility matters in the first place.
Accessibility—being within reach, approachable, and available—is a critical component of successful management. Conversely, inaccessibility can create a host of issues, undermining the very foundation you strive to build as a leader.
Let’s take a closer look at the potential repercussions of keeping your distance from those you lead.
Erosion of Trust
Just as my own leader’s divided attention eroded my trust, your absence can signal to your team that they’re not a priority. Trust is the foundation of effective leadership, and without it, you’re building on sand.
Missed Opportunities for Mentorship
You miss spontaneous moments that could turn into mentorship opportunities or teachable moments. These are the times when you can impart wisdom, offer guidance, or simply listen — actions that could shape the path of an up-and-coming leader.
Stifled Innovation
Without open lines of communication, you lose out on the innovative ideas that often come from casual, unplanned interactions. The people you lead need to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts at the moment, and not shelve them for a later date that might never come.
Strategies for Women Executives to Boost Accessibility and Strengthen Team Bonds
In order to bridge the accessibility gap between yourself and your team, it’s crucial to adopt strategies that go beyond traditional approaches.
The following 3 tips are designed to enhance your accessibility, ensuring that every interaction counts and contributes to building a stronger, more connected team environment.
- Redefine what access means. It doesn’t have to be a formal meeting. It could be a virtual coffee chat, a ‘walk-and-talk’ session, or a regularly available open slot in your calendar specifically for on-the-fly conversations.
- Prioritize quality over quantity. When you sit down with your team members, make it count. Remove distractions, give them your full attention, and engage with empathy. Twenty focused minutes can be more valuable than an hour of fragmented attention.
- Use technology to your advantage. Encourage your team to send voice memos or messages through collaboration platforms and apps. This can foster a sense of ongoing dialogue.
Through intentional integration of these elements, you can shape a team that‘s more robust, interconnected, and empowered.
Thanks for joining me today. If you’ve ever felt like an afterthought in someone’s busy schedule or if you’re struggling to provide the access your team deserves, I’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to contact me on the Work with Sharon page on https://livingwhileleading.com/ Share your story and let’s continue the conversation.
Remember, you’re the solution to claiming what’s important to you!
