As a Team Leader, one of your most important responsibilities is how you can get your PSAs to buy into your SFI vision. What is an inspiring goal that you would like your PSAs to come together and commit for it?
Before going into the how of getting your PSAs to commit in SFI, you need to think about why people become involved in and committed to an organization. You can start with yourself by asking the following questions:
- Why are you committed to SFI?
- What is most important to you?
The goals of your team, the people with whom you partner with, your vision of what is possible, the length of time you’ve invested in SFI and working with your PSAs, the satisfaction you get from doing your own SFI business, your role in your own SFI organization, etc are some of the most important thoughts that will help you understand about commitment.
People commit to an organization because they gain something important from their involvement. When you invite them to become involved, you are not only asking for their help in making SFI a global community but also, you are offering them an opportunity to:
•Work on an issue that is important to them
•Benefit the SFI community
•Meet and spend time with like-minded people
•Expand their skills
•Be a part of a team
•Learn how to lead
•Rise to a challenge
•Meet high standards
•Accomplish something significant
You can be thankful when you invite people to be committed to your SFI organization. You’re not imposing on them; you’re offering them something of value.
Below are some specific ideas about how to build and sustain commitment, many of which will also strengthen your SFI organization as a whole.
- Welcome your PSAs into your team
Give your PSAs a warm welcome on their first day at SFI. Your welcome letter may make the difference by making them feel valued. Your effort of welcoming your PSAs gives them a good feeling and encourages them to become involved. It also provides the start for developing a relationship, which helps you function as their Team Leader and acts to cement commitment in the future. Welcoming your PSAs on their first day is a job that should be taken seriously.
- Be open and clear about the mission, principles, and goals of your organization
Your PSAs have to know what they are committing to. They want to join an organization if they share similar principles and goals. Make sure that everyone in your SFI organization is familiar with its mission, principles, and goals.
As a Team Leader, talk openly why you care about these principles and goals. As an example, you might tell your PSAs how your life would have been different if your upline/sponsor/co-sponsor/a2a friend had not committed his/her attention to you when you first joined or indecisive about SFI.
- Become a model of commitment yourself
Your PSAs look to you as their Team Leader if you’re committed. If you care about your SFI business, it will show in your attitudes and actions. People will watch to see how you act, and they will follow your lead. If they can count on you, it is more likely that you will be able to count on them. If you stay late to send out a mailing to them or be prompt in your replies, they will more likely follow your lead. Commitment is contagious.
- Give your PSAs motivation and recognition
Your PSAs need to feel that they are making a significant contribution in order to feel committed. They need to feel respected and appreciated in order to stay connected and committed to your SFI organization.
For example you can motivate your PSAs and encourage them to take action with a contest based on VPs or level of rank. You can award prizes for the most VP accumulated in a single month or for every affiliate who achieves a top five ranking in their class.
What kind of prizes could you offer? Anything that your PSAs value, such as TC Gift certificates, a free spot in your co-op, TCredits or PSA reassignments. You can recognize your winners in your newsletter and/or on your team Website or blog to increase their level of commitment.
- Listen to your PSAs
Listening is a powerful tool. When you listen to your PSAs with respect, they sense that you have confidence in them and are interested in what they think. In turn, your interest and confidence helps them to think clearly and creatively.
- Train and Support your PSAs to become Team Leaders
To help sustain commitment in your SFI organization, think about each of your PSAs as a potential leader and train them to become one. If they can view themselves as a leader of a group, they will view the group as theirs. They will have a feeling of ownership, and will be more likely to take initiative to make sure things work well.
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