I believe that one of the most important jobs of a leader is to encourage their team members. They may do so by leading with the heart. Encouragement goes a long way in keeping team members motivated and is a powerful intangible reward that all leaders have at their disposal.

Some leaders think that high functioning people do not need encouragement. This is wrong thinking. Everyone needs encouragement and recognition.

One of my Leadership Coaching clients just attended Oprah’s Commencement speech at Harvard. Oprah had been present for President Obama’s speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. In Oprah’s Commencement speech she mentioned that when President Obama came off the stage after his Commencement speech at Morehouse College, he asked her, “was that alright?” Even the President of the United States needs encouragement from time to time.

Below is a presentation I created based on the book Encouraging the Heart: A Leader’s Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. I have included many specific ways that a leader can encourage their team and create an encouraging company culture.