Sprout Monthly Leadership Edition

MONTHLYSPROUT

the leadership edition

Table of Contents

TO BARBARA & LAUREN WITH LOVE FROM THE SPROUT TEAM

"A great boss embodies the qualities of integrity, trust, and respect. They give commendation and feedback and provide a safe space for others to do so as well."

MABRY ILLUSTRATOR, SPROUT MARKETING

E T T E R F R O M T H E T E A

Great leadership requires a lot from a person. It's not enough to just be good at something or to just have great communication skills, you have to be able to give all parts of yourself to inspire the best in others to want to work toward your vision.

Every year for Boss's Day the Sprout team pulls together to do something special for our cofounders Barbara and Lauren. This year, like always, we wanted to shower them with thanks and appreciation. However, we also want to share the secret sauce of their great leadership. Not told by them, but told by the employees that they continually inspire.

That's really the secret of great leadership. It's not about the dollars in your bank account. It's not what you say about yourself. It's not about your success. It's about your impact on others.

What would others say about you? How have you impacted their success, their goals, and their life? Do you make their life better?

We surveyed our team and asked them what makes a great leader along with what they appreciated about the leadership styles of our two fearless leaders. We're going to share their answers so that hopefully you can learn a thing or two about what you ' re looking for in a leader or how to become a better one yourself. Enjoy!

"A great boss treats their team with respect, and thus creates a work environment in which their employees feel heard and supported.

They set the example by making it a focus to help the team, and make an effort to know everyone on their team."

TRUST

of great

humble

BARBARAmeet

If you ' re part of the Sprout community, you know who this is whether you ' ve...

Seen her speak at an educational event

Came across her on social media

Enjoyed her many training videos and demos

Listened to her tips and tricks on the podcast

Barbara is our CEO who inspires all of us to think outside the box while giving us easy tricks to do so. She has a unique vision that continues to challenge all of us to think bigger and better.

STEPHANIE DITTMER

WORDS WE USE TO DESCRIBE barbara

"I appreciate that any feedback Barbara gives is clear but also kind. She sees the potential in others and as a leader, she knows how much she can challenge you to bring out your best."

WHAT WE APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT BARBARA'S LEADERSHIP STYLE...

"Barbara is direct and clear with her expectations while still being relatable and kind. You always know where you stand, that you ' re appreciated, and that her door is open to you and your perspective "

AUTUMN

"She always has new ideas, and constantly imagining new possibilities."

- HANNAH

"I appreciate how Barbara values her work but also values having a good work life balance and encourages us to keep that balance too."

BETH

"She is very motivating and exudes a cando spirit."

- ANNIKA

"Gives you a nudge when you need it."

AMBER

"I appreciate the passion she has, it becomes her driving force, and she communicates that clearly to the team She always thinks about how we can improve, and do more, for our Sprout Community and our multifamily friends."

- KELLEY

"Barbara sees the potential in every person and gives each of us the opportunity to grow and explore our interests at Sprout. She has never shut down ideas, but instead encourages them and adds to them! She is a sweet, approachable person and is so hard working and confident in her work I both admire and look up to Barbara's leadership!"

- ALYSSA

"Barbara is an inspiration at going after what she envisions."

- APRIL

"Barbara's ability to come up with new ideas, identify employee strengths and encourage their use, and continue to tirelessly be the Sprout public voice is amazing!"

- TASA

"To me, Barbara is the definition of a fearless leader! Whatever needs to be done, whether it is new, scary, or difficult she will get it done. She is very inspirational to me to step out of my comfort zone. And she is great at recognizing each of our achievements, even if small, and always encouraging us to accomplish more. "

- CASSIE

"Barbara is the vision of this company. She teaches us that we are never done making other people's lives better whether that's professionally through the work we do or personally by the work we do on ourselves."

ROSS

WHY

LAURENmeet

If Barbara is the vision behind Sprout, Lauren is the soul. Although you may not see her face all over our social channels, she is the heart and soul that keeps this company running.

She is the COO that helps our team operate both at the highest creative level while still keeping things easy for everyone involved. Both creative and methodical, she allows us to reach new heights while keeping us grounded.

DESCRIBE

"Lauren's down-to-earth and problem-solving leadership style makes her relatable and approachable."

WHAT WE APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT LAUREN'S LEADERSHIP STYLE...

"When you talk to Lauren, you can see on her face that she is truly thinking about and considering your view. She makes you feel heard and accepted while pointing the conversation toward a shared goal "

AUTUMN

"She's a great cheerleader for everyone, and makes each and every one of us feel special and important."

- HANNAH

"Her approachable ness I can bring an idea to her or any issue without fear of judgment and know she will genuinely listen and think about it."

- STEPHANIE

"I appreciate how flexible Lauren is with us and her willingness to always answer any questions we have."

- BETH

"She is a great listener, compassionate, and patient."

- ANNIKA

"Her perspective helps me to think about things differently."

- AMBER

"I love that Lauren is always willing to help find a solution to my trillions of questions and she takes the time to understand where I am coming from She has helped me learn to make simple decisions to benefit not just my department, but the whole Sprout team. She sees the whole picture! She is one of the most empathetic and caring people I've ever worked with which I appreciate so much."

- ALYSSA

"That she is always there for us just to listen or take my million questions! She is so thoughtful & caring, and will always try to find ways to make our jobs simpler. She is always in a positive mood and has a smile, which encourages me to do the same!"

- CASSIE

"Lauren has this ability to make any problem you face feel small. She teaches that it's not always about these huge jumps, but about taking these small steps until eventually, you ' re on the other side of the problem. She is also living proof that moms have superpowers

REBECCA

"Lauren's reliability, honesty, and ability to streamline processes is unmatched!"

- TASA

"I appreciate how Lauren always leads with patience and empathy, and thus never makes you feel like a burden or just something to check off her list. She has a unique way of not only building someone up, but also moving them to be their best self."

KELLEY OSTER

PRODUCT STYLIST, SPROUT MARKETING

"A great boss works hard to understand and learn more about those they lead. They treat their employees professionally, but also like family. A leader that truly cares about the happiness, health, and personal + professional growth of their employees under their leadership."

DIRECTOR, SPROUT MARKETING

WORK why AT SPROUT

The work/life balance and safe environment in which to be human.

Everyone melds together so well - and it feels like we always have each other's backs. We really have the perfect team.

Barbara and Lauren are ready to make changes and evolve when needed and leave well enough alone at the same time! Being able to have such flexibility and also working with a great team in a friendly atmosphere!

It’s a team of creative, amazing people who give their all, but also care about each member of this small but mighty team.

Sprout values the work-life

attitude!

I'm part of a team and can appreciate their brilliance. The work is also something to feel good about. This industry needs our empathy and help.

I love what we provide, support and

to a market that truly needs it, and we do so eagerly, with a smile and an endless amount of creativity.

Hands down, the workplace climate for teamwork and value is what makes Sprout such a great place to work.

wonderful people!

Also, the flexibility and independence we are given in our positions.

Being part of a company that puts people first.

so what makes a good leader?

HERE'S THE ROUND-UP FROM OUR TEAM

Agreatbossembodiesthequalitiesofintegrity,trust,andrespect.They giverecommendationsandfeedbackwhileprovidingasafespacefor otherstodosoaswell.

They'repositive,trusting,andhonest

Someonewholeadsbyexample.They'renotafraidtodiginandget theirhandsdirty!

Beinghumbleandcaring

Beingmotivating,passionate,andcaring.

Someonewhoisapproachableandtrustworthy.

Agreatbosstreatstheirteamwithrespectandthuscreatesawork environmentinwhichtheiremployeesfeelheardandsupported.They settheexamplebymakingitafocustohelptheteamandmakean efforttoknoweveryoneontheirteam.

Agreatbossworkshardtounderstandandlearnmoreaboutthosethey lead.Theytreattheiremployeesprofessionally,butalsolikefamily.A leaderthattrulycaresaboutthehappiness,health,andpersonaland professionalgrowthoftheiremployeesundertheirleadership.

Agreatleadershowsapurposeandvisionforthefutureandguides otherstogrowinthatvision.

Hiringanincredibleteamandtheninspiringthemtogivetheirbestas wellasnavigatingtheoverallbusinesstostayrelevantinchanging times.

Someonewhoismotivational,yetcaring.Also,someonewhoiswilling tosetanexampleofhowtoworkhard.

To sum it up...

The key to being a great leader is to care enough to want to impact someone else's life for the better. That could be your employees, customers, family, friends, pets...the list goes on.

At Sprout, we are all incredibly lucky to have leaders that do that for us and we hope publishing stuff like this can help our industry get away from this burnout culture, and back to the roots of creating places people want to work, live, and call home.