Innoramblings #16: Leading by Example—Getting Close to the Action

As a founder or project manager, leading by example is more than just a phrase—it’s a necessity. To drive your company forward, you need to be as close to the action as possible. This means understanding the intricacies of your product, your customers, and the day-to-day realities of your business. It’s about being hands-on and involved, not just from a strategic standpoint but also in the execution of your value proposition.

At TECHFIT, we take this principle to heart. Our engineers regularly attend surgical cases to ensure they empathize with the surgeon and understand the real-world challenges of the operating room. This firsthand experience allows them to design and refine our products with the end user in mind, ensuring that we deliver solutions that truly meet the needs of our customers.

Here are two stories that have always inspired me when thinking about what it means to lead by example:

The L’Oréal CEO Who Cut Hair

A former executive from L’Oréal shared with me a story about the company’s CEO that perfectly captures what it means to be involved at the ground level. In front of the entire senior staff, the CEO would cut a person’s hair using L’Oréal products. This wasn’t a one-off event—it was a demonstration of his deep understanding of the company’s value proposition. He knew the products, the techniques, and what it took to deliver quality to the customer. This act wasn’t just symbolic; it was a powerful reminder to everyone in the room that leadership is about understanding the details and being able to execute at the highest level.

The CEO’s Shrinking Pills and Pocket Helicopter

Another story that has stuck with me comes from Oscar Echeverri, former CEO of Leonisa, who shared a brilliant metaphor for leadership. He said that a CEO must have two essential tools: shrinking pills and a pocket helicopter. The shrinking pills allow you to dive into the details—to get small and understand every aspect of the business. Whether it’s the nuances of your product, the operations, or the customer experience, you need to be able to zoom in and see what’s really happening on the ground.

But you can’t stay small all the time. That’s where the pocket helicopter comes in. It allows you to soar to 20,000 feet and see the bigger picture. From this vantage point, you can assess the broader strategy, understand market trends, and make decisions that shape the future of the company.

The key is knowing when to use each tool. If you’re always in the air, you’ll lose touch with the realities of delivering your value proposition. You won’t understand the day-to-day challenges your team faces or the needs of your customers. On the other hand, if you’re always small, you’ll never see the path forward. You’ll get bogged down in the details and miss out on strategic opportunities.

Balancing the Two Perspectives

Leading by example means mastering the balance between these two perspectives. It’s about being able to dive deep when needed—whether that’s understanding the technical details of your product, engaging with your customers directly, or solving problems alongside your team. But it’s also about knowing when to step back and look at the bigger picture, ensuring that your company is on the right strategic path.

At TECHFIT, we’ve embraced this approach. We believe that leadership isn’t about sitting in an office making high-level decisions. It’s about being in the trenches with your team, understanding the details, and being able to deliver on your promises. At the same time, it’s about keeping an eye on the horizon, ensuring that every action taken today moves the company closer to its long-term goals.

Conclusion

Leadership is about presence. It’s about being there, both in the small moments and the big ones. It’s about knowing when to get your hands dirty and when to take a step back to see the bigger picture. By leading by example, you not only inspire your team but also ensure that your company stays true to its vision and delivers on its value proposition.

How do you balance being in the details with seeing the bigger picture? I’d love to hear your stories and experiences on leading by example. Let’s continue the conversation!