Lead By Example

At the core of every great business is a great team. Effective business strategies, plans, and practices are, of course, needed. Yet at the very hub of an amazing company are the people that comprise it. Your employees will either make your company one that cannot be forgotten or one that is easily passed by, and the truth is it hinges on your leadership and example.

The saying is true: leadership is caught not taught. The example you demonstrate of your business's core values and vision will ultimately dictate the values and visions being lived out in your employees. Your example is the most important. Employees will decide how hard to work, what to value, and how to treat guests based on your example. Just imagine your staff as your children. They learn from you, by what you say and teach but also by how you lead. They are watching and learning from you more than you know. 

Now, that the expectation has been set you will lead by example, let's talk a little about necessary benchmarks needed for a business and staff's success. It is paramount you have standards and expectations in place for every level of employment in your company. The entry level to the expert need to know what is required of them to succeed in the environment you have created. People, young and old alike, feel safer when they know the parameters they must work within or rather what is required of them. How you convey this information is completely up to you as a business owner, but the fact is it must be communicated clearly and effectively and continually. You should have regular "check-ins" or "employee reviews" where a staff member can have his or her strengths praised and weaknesses addressed. Even so, issues should not be put on the back burner until this time. If a staff member is falling short of expectations required for his or her position, then address it as soon as possible. You are enforcing the standards of your business as well as making confrontation a regular and non-scary practice. You are doing your employees a disservice if you do not confront them. It undermines the values and expectations you've set forth and shows clear communication is not valued by your company. Perhaps this sounds extreme, but it cannot be stressed enough: communicate to your employees, the good and the bad.

If your staff knows the expectations set for them, you are then free to truly empower them and begin to raise up leaders. Once an employee has shown he or she values the vision of the business, you are able to give more authority. You can empower your staff to also hold one another to the standard you've set. You can empower employees to make decisions without being micromanaged. You can empower your team to monitor the standards you've set for your business. When clear communication, vision, and empowerment are at play in a business, you cannot lose. In fact, this is when you can begin to raise up new leaders in your business because you know they know how to serve your vision and can carry it to new places.

If your desire is to be a thriving business with a thriving team, you must be a clear communicator who leads by example. Create a safe environment with expectations, so your leaders can truly shine, grow, and begin to add to your business. Remember the most important investment you can make in your business is the people you see every day.