Hello, fellow leaders! Today, I want to talk about something we all know is crucial but sometimes overlook in our leadership journey: leading by example.
I’m not claiming to be a leadership guru, but I’ve had my fair share of experiences in the last 26 years working with people. And one golden rule stands out: people closely watch what you do. They’re like little corporate monkeys, 🐒 mimicking your actions to understand how they should behave. Your actions are your team’s most powerful guide. You can craft inspiring messages and dazzling presentations, but if your actions don’t match your words, it all falls flat.
Monkeys can spot a fake banana a mile away, just like your team can spot a disingenuous leader. Authenticity is your secret weapon. Show vulnerability, admit mistakes, and take responsibility for them. Watch your team rally around you. They don’t need authority. They need a leader. Who leads. By example.
I remember a “leader” who was in my team and who nobody respected and who was asking me to tell his team that he is in charge. And I asked him to tell me if he would follow someone identical to him. And he was shocked. Especially when I asked him to tell me the top 3 strenghts and top 3 improvement areas.
The first was respect. He didn’t earn his teams respect as all he did was check them. And he hated to be checked himself.
The second was to allow the team to make mistakes. By admiting when he made mistakes or misunderstood something.
And third – his own behaviour. People remember how you made them feel. You can move mountains and people within your own team not be gratefull especically if you rub it in their faces. Modesty is a virtue for a reason.
Your team follows your lead, and not just during office hours. If you’re working nonstop and expecting the same from your team, you’re headed for burnout. If you value work-life balance, make sure you also live it. Nothing’s more contagious than a leader with boundless enthusiasm. When you’re passionate, your team catches that spirit, and it spreads like wildfire (in a good way).
Admit your mistakes first, and your team will follow. It’s a chain reaction of self-improvement. Emphasize accountability and growth, and your team becomes better.
You set the tone for your team, like the alpha monkey keeping the tribe together. Your leadership defines the culture and the atmosphere. Lead with positivity, inclusivity and respect, and your team becomes a harmonious unit.
Remember: influential leaders aren’t the ones yelling the loudest from the tallest trees. They’re the ones down in the trenches, showing how it’s done. So, let’s lead by example, set the standard, and make leadership as enjoyable as swinging from the vines. 🌴🐵
If you find that it inspired you, drop me a line and let’s discuss how we can transform your business.