Leading by Example

I think most professionals can agree that Leading by example is one of the cornerstones of great leaders. However, even though we say it, what behavior backs up the words? In my employment, I have seen many different Leadership styles. I think the ones who have had the most motivating and positive influence on me are those who not only talk about leading by example but also have the follow through to put their words into action.

As I laid the foundation for my leadership style, I gave a lot of consideration to Leading by example. What qualities did I want to pass on to those who worked under me and those who wanted development? Through training, observation, and learning, I came up with a few ideas to make my behavior match my words. I wanted them to see the dedication to my team, dedication to the business, and a thirst for their success.

Dedication to the team is a balance of genuine care and concern for each individual and never asking them to do a job I wouldn’t do myself. Over the last few years (or ten) businesses are finally learning the importance of employee satisfaction. The “people” are the face of your business, representing the interaction between your business and your customers. We’d like to think there is a definitive line between work life and personal life, and being professional is leaving all personal business outside the doors of the work environment. However, as humans, we are emotional beings and that just doesn’t happen. Building relationships with your team (employees) is essential. By getting to know them on a deeper level, you figure out what motivated them, what worries them, and what their goals are. They begin to feel valued, not just as an employee but as a person. As you invest in them, they’ll invest in you and your business.

As the leader, if your team is struggling they look to you, not only for direction but to jump in and help. No matter what your title is, a true leader will be bailing water along with everyone else. I’ve seen my share of leaders that as the ship is sinking they are watching safely from a lifeboat. Not long after I became a department manager in retail grocery, I was helping at a new store’s grand opening. Everything was going fine until a piece of equipment broke. It was none other than the Vice President who jumped in, in his bright white dress shirt and nice black slacks, working on equipment that was covered in flour and parts covered in grease. That was an “ah-ha” moment that I was working for the right company. At that moment(s) title didn’t matter, getting the machine running mattered. The words “see something, do something” came to life. I wanted to show my team that the same quality, title means nothing when there’s work to be done.

Along with valuing your people, you also have to keep your eyes on the business goals. Simply put, the work has to be accomplished. A business still exists to make money, even non-profits have to accomplish those goals to sustain the work they are doing. The people part is about “how” the work gets done, not about “if” the work gets done.

A thirst for success is referencing a thirst for not only your success as a leader but for your business and your people. Any business wants growth and customer satisfaction, I understand success as achieving both. it doesn’t stop there, your people who want development, to grow their careers rely on you to help them be successful. One of my standard statements during employee conversations is letting them know that my success is based on their success. I am not developing them to be as good as I am. I want them to be better than me. My goal is to teach, train, and inspire them to reach greater heights than I did. I want to help them develop their leadership style based on their strengths and help them to see possible blind spots and their opportunities.

So tell me… how do you lead by example? What have you found that works, and doesn’t work?