| How to Develop Leaders Posted: 15 Sep 2018 05:00 PM PDT Developing leaders isn't an easy task. However, it's rewarding work, and it will benefit your team and company in the long run. Encourage your employees to gain a wide range of experience to help them learn different skills and how to get along with people. It's also important to help them learn leadership skills, like communication and trustworthiness. After helping your employees grow, make sure you're promoting the right people by picking the best person for the position you're filling. EditGiving Employees a Wide Range of Experience - Cross-train your employees to help them develop different skills. Cross-training just means training your employees to more than 1 job in your company. That could mean sending them to different departments or merely rotating them through different jobs in your area. Along the way, they'll pick up a variety of skills which can help them be a leader.[1]
- For instance, if you have an employee working in inventory, see if they'd like to learn about invoicing.
- This process teaches them to be adaptable and requires that they learn about all aspects of your company. Both of those qualities will make them better leaders.
- In addition, they'll need to learn to get along with a wide range of people across your company.
- Assign projects that will stretch your employees and help them grow. These projects should be just outside your employees' current skill levels, requiring that they push themselves to succeed at a more demanding task. Projects like these will help them realize they have the ability to tackle complicated and daunting projects on their own and that they may even be able to help others do it, too.[2]
- For instance, if you've been training your employee to create reports and you've been doing them together, have them write one on their own.
- Be ready to offer support when they need it. While you want them to grow, you don't want to meltdown because of a project that's too hard. Check in often to make sure they're doing okay.[3]
- They'll also grow their knowledge and experience level, both of which are valuable as a leader.
- Encourage your employees to find what they're passionate about. Passion should be a driving force in your work place. When your employees are passionate, they'll want to give you 110%, and passion is a great leadership quality. A single person who is passionate about a project can spur enthusiasm in others.[4]
- For example, if your employee comes to you with an idea about a new way to approach their work, let them try it out to see how it works.
- Don't be afraid to let your employees take risks and explore different aspects of their jobs. Giving them some room to grow can help them develop a passion for the job.
EditWorking on Communication Skills - Require frequent face-to-face meetings with your employees. Some employees will be better at communication than others, and these types of meetings will help develop communication skills in those who excel and in those who need some work. Ask them to check in with you about ongoing projects or to offer short overviews of what they're working on.[5]
- Aim for meetings at least once a week, as frequent practice will help improve your employees' communication skills.
- Train your employees in networking. Take your employees along to networking events, and encourage them to meet people and connect with others in the field. You can even set up events within your company so employees can get to know one another better and develop networking skills in a more sheltered environment.[6]
- Model good networking behavior by introducing employees to people you know and helping to get the conversation started.
- Throwing them into networking situations will help them learn how to navigate social situations at work, keep up contacts, and work on mutually beneficial relationships in the business world.
- Encourage employees to lead meetings and give presentations. As a leader, you have likely already learned these skills, but your developing leaders need to learn them, too. Start by modeling the behavior you'd like to see by inviting them to presentations and meetings you lead, then encourage employees to take over future meetings and presentations.[7]
- Practicing these skills will help your employees develop them over time.
- You can tap employees you'd think would do well or ask for volunteers.
EditDeveloping Other Leadership Skills - Value truth-telling to develop trustworthiness. Expect the truth from your employees at all times, but more importantly, don't punish them for telling the truth. If they come to you with a mistake, help them solve it instead of berating them for making it in the first place.[8]
- For instance, you could say, "Thank you for coming to me with that mistake. I appreciate your honesty. Let's figure out how to fix it for the moment, and then we can come up with a solution to help you not make the same mistake going forward."
- Leaders need to be trustworthy to get people to follow them. Plus, it takes integrity to be trustworthy, and integrity is also valuable as a leader.
- Give employees a voice in the company to help them take ownership. Encourage employees to offer input and suggestions, and give them serious consideration. When you implement an employee's idea, you're sending the message that you value their opinion and that they have a stake in the company.[9]
- For example, if you're considering changing up certain processes in your office, ask for employee input about how they could work better.
- As employees gain a feeling of ownership in the company, they'll be more willing to take on leadership roles.
- Model unassuming, unpretentious behavior. The best leaders are approachable, and arrogant people are less approachable. Modeling these behaviors for your employees will help them realize how valuable these skills are.[10]
- Try to come out from behind your desk when employees come in to talk. Sit in chairs together so you can talk without a desk between you.
- Do things like stand in line in the cafeteria and eat with other employees.
- If a potential leader is exhibiting haughty behavior, try having a private conversation about it with them. You could say, "You know, I have as many degrees as you do to go behind my name, but I don't flaunt them. You don't have to say you're smart in every conversation. People will realize it by the great thoughts coming from that brain of yours, and they'll respect you more if they learn that themselves."
- Become the mentor or coach your employees need. Most employees with the potential to become leaders will need some gentle guidance in the right direction. Try spending one-on-one time with those employees you think could do well. Ask them how their work is going and how you can help them develop the skills they need to do it better and advance in the company.[11]
- If they're struggling, particularly with a new leadership role, give them advice on how they can manage the situation. Your experience will prove invaluable.
- You could also offer titles of any books that may have helped you in the past.
- Try implementing a program where other senior employees mentor younger employees in a more formalized fashion.[12]
EditPromoting People to Leadership - Move people up who show leadership skills not just technical ability. Just because a person is good at their current job does not mean they will make a good leader. You have to focus on the values and skills you expect in a leader, not only what skills make them a good employee.[13]
- For instance, if someone is great at creating detailed reports and is very reliable, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be a great leader. However, someone who makes detailed reports, shows integrity in their work, always shows up on time, and works well with others likely will make a good leader.
- Keep your eyes open for leaders throughout the company. Some companies won't promote a person to a leadership position if they haven't been there long enough or if they haven't reached a certain level. However, you could be missing out on some great people who are ready to take leadership positions despite the fact they haven't been with the company "long enough."[14]
- Similarly, if you limit your pool, you may find the people you have to promote don't fit the role.
- Provide ongoing feedback about potential growth opportunities. People are not always able to recognize where they're doing well and where they could stand to grow. Ensure you're providing that feedback, so you can encourage them to grow the skills they need to be great leaders.[15]
- You can make it a more formalized process by providing regular employee reviews. Think of it as an opportunity to help employees learn rather than to punish employees who are doing poorly.
- Avoid pushing people into leadership who can't handle it. Even if you've been grooming someone to be a leader, they may not be able to deal with the pressure. If you realize that someone isn't going to like the stress of the job, don't shove it on them. Doing so won't benefit them or the company.[16]
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Cut Bok Choy Posted: 15 Sep 2018 09:00 AM PDT A bright green member of the cabbage family, bok choy is a crunchy, fresh and mild-tasting addition to a meal. Packed with nutritious vitamins, great texture and subtle flavor, bok choy is found in many Asian recipes, but this versatile vegetable can be used in salads, soups, stir-fries and more. Both the leaves and the stalks can be eaten. EditChoosing and Washing Your Bok Choy - Choose bok choy with bright green leaves and crisp stalks. Look for heads with bright green leaves — not yellow or brown — and crisp white stalks without holes or discoloration. Avoid any bok choy bunches that look rubbery or dried out towards the stem. Crunchy is good![1]
- Bok choy, also known as pak choi, can be found in a number of varieties that offer different flavors, sizes and colors.[2]
- Varieties with larger leaves tend to work well for salads and soups, while the smaller, narrower heads work well for stir-fries.[3]
- Buy baby bok choy for a milder flavor. Baby bok choy is a smaller variety of bok choy that is just harvested earlier than mature bok choy. The stems are usually thicker and the leaves are smaller. The flavor is usually pretty similar to regular bok choy, but if often milder and more tender.[4]
- Baby bok choy is also appealing because you can cook the vegetable whole without needing to break the leaves apart.[5]
- Store your bok choy in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to 5 days. Place your bok choy in a grocery store plastic produce bag. With the bok choy in the bag, run your hand along the stalk to push the air out of the bag. Twist the end of the bag so it stays shut and store it in your produce drawer in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.[6]
- Trim and discard the thick base of the bok choy stem. Use a sharp knife to slice off the bottom with a sharp knife just above where the base of the leaves connect. Pull off and discard any outside leaves that are discolored or particularly tough. You will be left with several long individual bok choy stalks.
- Wash the individual bok choy stalks in a bowl of cold water. Separate the leaves and swish them around in large bowl full of cold water. Gently rub the leaves together to remove any dirt. Drain the water from the bok choy using a colander.
- Alternatively, you can rinse each individual stalk under cold running water in your sink.[7]
- Dirt tends to collect towards the base of each stalk, so pay special attention to that part.[8]
EditSlicing the Bok Choy - Bunch the stalks together and slice off the white stems. Once all the stalks have been washed, lie them flat on your cutting board. Then, group them together in a bunch and use your knife to separate the thick, white stems from the green leaves.
- Keeping the stems and leaves separate is helpful because the stems and the leaves tend to cook at different rates, with the stems cooking slower than the leaves.[9]
- Hold the bok choy in a stable position using a claw-like grip. Grip the bok choy with your fingertips and curl them inwards, pressing only the knuckles of your middle and ring fingers against the knife blade. This grip will protect your fingers.[10]
- Hold your knife at a 45 degree angle over the bok choy stems. Don't chop the stems by bringing the knife straight down — hold it at a 45 degree angle for a slanted cut across the stem. Slicing at an angle like this works to increase the surface area of each piece, allowing the bok choy to cook faster.
- Slice the bok choy into sections. Cut the stems into sections beginning at the base and slicing all the way up to the top. Gradually move the hand that holds the bok choy away from the knife as you slice further along the stalk. Then, repeat this process for the leaves.
- Make your cuts thinner if you're looking to make a stir fry.
EditCutting the Bok Choy Into Rectangles - Cut an individual stalk in half down the middle. Make a long cut down the middle of an individual white stalk to separate it into 2 halves. Lay these halves next to each other flat on your cutting board.[11]
- If you want thinner rectangle slices, cut your bok choy stalk into thirds.
- Rectangle cuts can be great if you're looking to saute bok choy stems with other vegetables or meats.
- Separate the green leaves from the white stem. Slice off the leafy part of the bok choy, leaving mostly thick, white stem. It's fine if you leave some of the smaller leaf sections where the leaves connect to the stem, but try to remove as much of the leaves as you can.
- Cut the stem into long rectangular pieces. Make horizontal cuts to divide the stem up into bits that are roughly the shape of rectangles. These pieces should be pretty thick.[12]
EditDicing the Bok Choy - Cut the leaves off of the bok choy. Take an individual stalk of bok choy and cut off the top leafy part. You should be left with the remaining white stem.[13]
- Diced bok choy is a wonderful addition to soups and salads!
- Slice the stem vertically into 3 long strips. Use a larger knife to make these longer cuts in 1 smooth motion each. Try to make all the strips about the same width.[14]
- Cut the strips horizontally into small long diced pieces. Bunch the strips together with your non-dominant hand, and carefully dice them into small pieces starting at the end of the stem. long is good, but make the pieces smaller if you want.[15]
- Slice the bok choy into smaller sections for stir fries to speed up the cooking time and avoid overcooking.
- Make slow, deliberate slices until you get more comfortable slicing at a faster pace.
- Use a well-sharpened chef's knife to cut the bok choy as dull knives are more likely to slip and cause injury.
EditThings You'll Need - Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Colander or Strainer
- Large Kitchen Bowl
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Stand up Plates in a China Cabinet Posted: 15 Sep 2018 01:00 AM PDT Arranging the items in your china cabinet properly can help make it the centerpiece of whatever room in which you place it. Standing your plates rather than stacking them can help to frame the other pieces in your collection. Some china cabinets have a groove at the back of their shelves so that you can lean them against the back, but if they don't it's probably a good idea to consider using plate stands or a plate rack. EditLeaning the Plates against the Back - Clear out the shelf on which you want to display your plates. In order to lean your plates against the back wall of your china cabinet, you'll need to clear out the shelf you want to use first.[1]
- Leaving other items on the shelf can risk damaging them. The items at the back of the shelf will also set the tone for the rest of your arrangement, so you'll want to start there first.
- Balance your plates between the groove and the back wall of the cabinet. Place the bottom of your plate in the groove, and gently lean the top against the back of the wall. Leave as little or as much space between your plates as you want to match the arrangement you've planned.
- Some china cabinets will employ a plate rail in place of the groove. These are cheaper to install than it is to rout a groove. You can prepare, stain, and install your own rail, should you desire.
- Arrange the rest of your china collection on the shelves. Start on the top shelf and work your way down. Cups can go on saucers near the front, and unique items like artistic bowls or vases can go on the bottom.[2]
- You can find sample china cabinet arrangements on sites like Pinterest, YouTube, Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living.
- Cut a coffee filter to fit under your cups without showing so they don't rattle against the saucers underneath them.
EditUsing Individual Plate Stands - Purchase plate stands online or make them yourself at home. You can purchase plate stands on sites like Amazon, eBay, or Overstock. Make sure to buy enough for the number of plates you have. If you'd rather not spend the money, you can always make some yourself at home.
- Making your own plate stands can be as easy as taking apart a wire hanger and bending it into the shape of a manufactured stand.[3]
- To make your own stand, use wire cutters to cut off the bottom of the hanger. Bend the detached bottom piece in the middle, then bend the ends outwards from the tips.
- After doing so, bend the ends again, this time upwards from the tips to form the prongs that will hold the bottom of the plate.
- Arrange your china so the largest items are at the back. Generally speaking, you'll want to arrange your china in the back so they frame your other items.[4] From there, you can place progressively smaller items in each row moving toward the front.
- Larger items can also serve as the centerpiece of the shelf, depending on what other items you have in your china collection.[5]
- Place the plate stands on the shelf in your chosen arrangement. Before you put anything on the shelf, position your plate stands on it in the arrangement you would like to use. This can also help you determine whether or not the arrangement will work before you put any of your china on the shelf.
- Balance your plates on the stands. The stands will generally have two prongs or a ridge along the front with a higher ridge at the back. Gently position the bottom of your plate against the front prongs or ridge of the stand and lean the back of the plate against the rear ridge.
EditUsing a Plate Rack - Clear out the shelf on which you want to display your plates. Plate racks can take up a lot of room on your shelf. If you plan to use one, you'll want to clear out your shelf to make room for it. Doing so can also help you avoid damaging other items in your china collection.[6]
- Measure the space available on the shelf with a tape measure. Plate racks come in all different shapes and sizes, so you'll need to know how much space you have on your shelves before you choose one.
- Purchase a plate rack that will fit on the shelf or make one yourself at home. Plate racks can be purchased on online retailers like Amazon or eBay. If you'd like to have something that is more customized to your needs, you can also make one yourself at home.[7]
- Place the plate rack on the shelf and fill it with your plates. Make sure to position the plate rack on your shelf so that it is sturdy and well-balanced. Then, place your plates on the rack facing from the direction that best features any patterns or designs that they might have.[8]
- Order the plates so that the largest are behind the smaller ones to maximize the visibility of the designs.[9]
EditSources and Citations
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