Leading by Example- “How often do you walk the talk and are you being the role model leader”

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”- John Quincy Adams

Becoming a leader, you always learn one simple truth sooner or later, actions speak louder than words. You can preach all day about the importance of hard work, dedication, and integrity, but if you're not ready to practice it, your words are unavailing. This is where leading by example comes in. It's the ultimate way to show your team that you're not just spewing hot air. Part of being a successful leader is inspiring and motivating your team. Developing your leadership skills and learning to actively lead by example can help you model effective ways for your team to make the most impact. Everything you do as a leader could potentially be an example for your team, so what’s truly leading by example? The mark of a good leader lies in their ability to "walk the talk. To lead by example means to guide others through your behavior instead of your words. Your intention is to inspire others to copy your behavior. The opposite of leading by example is to say one thing and do another. The saying “do as I say, not as I do” may have worked in the past, but it has no place in today’s world.?Modern employees want to see that your actions mirror what you say. This means aligning your habitual practices, routines, and behaviors with your?core most values. ?

Leading by example is a leadership style, where you model the behavior you want to see in your team members. When you lead by example, you don’t just push team members towards excellence, rather you actively demonstrate that excellence. Leading by example is the difference between saying, “You can do this” and “We can do this together.” Though the support and encouragement in the former is great, the latter builds connection, camaraderie, and trust. People who lead by example are actively demonstrating that they value their team’s work by carrying some of the weight themselves. This leadership style fosters high levels of engagement and buy-in because leaders actively demonstrate that they’re invested in their team’s initiatives.?Leading by example is a leadership style that involves setting an example through your own actions, behaviors, and attitudes. It means demonstrating the qualities and behaviors that you expect from your team members, and modeling the behaviors that you want to see in your workplace. In the capable hands of good leaders, it is a powerful tool that can inspire and motivate your team to achieve greatness. But it requires greatness from you, too.?In the same way, team leaders who lead by example don't just tell their team members what to do; they demonstrate how to do it through their own actions, being the first to blaze the trail. Like parents, team leaders need to model the behavior they want to see from their charges. You can’t expect your team to display certain characteristics if you don’t embody them yourself. For example, if you want your team to communicate constructively or stay calm under pressure, they need to see you behave in that way.?

"I learned to always take on things I'd never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist."- Ginni Rometty?

A great leader knows that their actions influence employee attitude, satisfaction, and performance. When leaders lead by example, morale goes up. This leads to greater company loyalty and higher productivity.?Someone who leads by example can expect to receive trust and respect from their team. Superiors see them as someone who is capable of running a team, and employees see them as trusted mentors. A trusted leader can also inspire teammates to respect and trust each other. This organizational cohesiveness can increase customer loyalty. Workplace culture is the character of an organization and it’s purpose. It may include the business’s goals, work practices, beliefs, and behaviors. Businesses that have leaders who "walk the talk" embody these values daily. This commitment to workplace values inspires a positive work culture?and happy employees. Leadership is not just about giving orders and delegating tasks. It's about setting a positive tone and inspiring others to follow in your footsteps. Whether you're a CEO, manager, or team leader, your actions have a ripple effect that can impact your team's morale, productivity, and success. By demonstrating your commitment to your team's goals and values, you can build trust and respect, as your team members see that you're not just telling them what to do, but also doing it yourself. When your team trusts and respects you, they're more likely to be motivated and engaged, which can lead to better performance and results. Leading by example sets the standard for how you want your team to behave and perform. If you expect your employees to work hard and be productive, you must demonstrate those behaviors yourself. If you want your team to be ethical and honest, you must lead by example and show them that you value those qualities. If your team sees you modeling the behavior you expect from them, they're more likely to follow suit. When you lead by example, you inspire your team members to do their best work. Your actions can motivate and energize your team, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. When your employee sees you taking on challenges and pushing yourself to do better, they'll be more likely to do the same.

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Everyone has their unique qualities that make them a good leader. There is no right way to be a leader but here are main qualities that people who lead by example share. The simplest way to lead by example is to lead from the front, instead of from the sidelines. By getting involved in your team’s initiatives, you are showing them that you value their work, understand their contribution, and appreciate their time. Getting involved doesn’t mean taking over the initiative, but rather, showing your team that you support their work. Leading isn’t just about managing. Good leadership is also about motivating and inspiring your team. In addition to leading by example on projects, always work to put your team first and look out for them. This can surface in a lot of different ways, like, the credit goes to the right person, work load and capacity balance to avoid burn out, facilitating strong team collaboration. When you lead by example, you’re providing an example of how your team can act. That said, your team isn’t always going to do things exactly your way. Trying to manage team members on every little thing can lead to frustration and lack of motivation. Instead, trust your team to get their best work done, and support them if and when they need you. Great leaders even encourage their team to try new ways of doing things. This doesn’t mean you can’t coach and provide helpful feedback when appropriate. Good leaders are always looking for?coaching opportunities. Instead of telling your team what you want them to do, model the work ethic you want to see from your team members, peers, and direct reports. The best leaders make room for flexibility. We all know that things change and the best laid plans don’t always work out, which is why flexibility is a key leadership skill. In fact, three fourths of the workforce in general believe that organizations can be more resilient to change if plans are flexible. Sometimes, plans will have to change, priorities will get rearranged, or timelines will drift around. You might miss a goal or have to re-think the ?KPIs. Learning to roll with these punches and more importantly, support your team while they also roll with the punches can help you build great leadership skills. Additionally, make sure you’re always in contact with your team so they have the information and context to get their highest-impact work done.

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“The real power of a leader is in the number of minds he can reach, hearts he can touch, souls he can move, and lives he can change.”- Unknown

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When you don’t set a good example, one of the first things to go is work ethic. Your followers will struggle to perform well if they see you performing poorly. One of the quickest things that kills workplace mood is poor leadership. It’s challenging for employees to feel satisfied and motivated if they don’t have a leader they trust.?Hiring and training new employees is one of the most costly parts of a business. Employees who answer to poor leaders have a higher rate of churn. Leaders who lead by example show their teams how to do things faster and better. They demonstrate systems thinking and a continuous improvement mindset. But poor leaders don’t take the time to teach their teams how to be efficient. They don't demonstrate how to take a critical view of systems and processes, it’s a continuous fall.

Like all leadership skills, learning to lead by example takes time and practice. It’s worth the effort, though. Building this skill can help you gain higher levels of engagement and trust on your team. Whether you’re developing your?management style, managing a group of direct reports, or?leading a team without a manger, leading by example shows team members that you value the overall work ethics. Modeling positive professional conduct provides an example for others to follow. You can’t expect your team to behave in a way that you do not. They’d quickly call hypocrisy and lose respect for you as a leader. And that makes it very difficult to control and correct team behavior. In the end, leading by example is all about being intentional and purposeful in your actions and interactions with your team. By focusing on the behaviors that really matter, and making a conscious effort to embody them, you can set the tone for your team and inspire them to achieve their best work. In conclusion I’d like to challenge each one who’s reading this article to identify one area where you can lead by example this week/ this very moment and let’s make a conscious effort to demonstrate the values we hold dear!

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"The greatness of a leader is measured by the achievements of the led.? This is the ultimate test of his effectiveness."- Gen. Omar Bradley

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