Everybody agrees that these are tough times. At the office, we’re living through the turmoil created by the pandemic and the return to the office (or not). At home, we’re whipsawed by rising prices and product scarcity.

You’re the leader. You can help. In fact, caring for your teammates is a big part of your job. Here are six ways.

Pitch in.

You may be the boss, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your hands dirty. Pitch in to help people with their work. That will get more work done and improve morale too. As one construction worker once told me, “I like a boss with dirt under his fingernails.”

Make things easier.

Make things easier for your teammates by making sure they have everything they need to do a good job. That includes information, supplies, help, budget, and time.

Minimize distractions. Minimize interruptions.

Give them a break.

Human beings are not meant to go full speed all the time. We work best when a period of work is followed by a period of recovery. So, allow regular breaks

Don’t begrudge the time people need to take off for personal business. Instead, work with your teammates so that there’s minimum disruption to work and minimum catch-up when your teammate returns to work.

Say, “Thank you.”

Gratitude is good for both of you. At the end of the week, thank everyone for their work. Send thank you notes -electronic, paper, and sticky.

Give them autonomy.

As different as they are, everyone you work with shares common human desires and drivers. Edward Deci and Richard Ryan have studied this for decades. Their Self-Determination Theory says the three main drivers for most people are autonomy, relatedness, and competence.

Autonomy means that people want as much control as possible over their work. So, give it to them. It’s likely they’ll be happier and more productive.

Listen.

The classic image of the boss in old-style supervision is the person who talks the most and gives orders. Today, people may not need you to tell them what to do or how to do it. They’re likely to know more about their job than you do. So, listen when they have something to say.

Listening is a signal that you respect the person who’s talking. Listening can lead to a conversation and a relationship. And, if you listen, you’ll learn.

If you want to support your team, you have to act. Kind thoughts and warm feelings are not enough. Leadership is a doing discipline.

Takeaways

You’re the leader, supporting teammates is part of your job.

Pitch in.

Make things easier.

Give them a break.

Say, “Thank you.”

Give them autonomy.

Listen.

Warm feelings of support are not enough. You must do something.