Sometimes leaders get to stand in the lime light, marching forward in a triumphant pursuit of excellence and performance. Sometimes leadership requires standing in the shadows to support those closest to you.
Leadership is about influence and accomplishing tasks while utilizing the gifts of those you lead. This should look in part, as if the leader is serving those around them.
One of the greatest lessons I have learned on leadership and one of the greatest areas of accountability for myself is this:
Leaders set the example of ideal.”- Paul Jolicoeur Tweet this!
When people look at you, they are seeing the template of what is expected of them. Be the template you want to see reproduced.
When I am looking to recruit new leaders into the areas I manage I ask myself a simple question. Would I want the people this person leads to be just like them?
If the answer is yes, then we move on. If the answer is no, we have a red flag.
This is not about perfection. No one is perfect and we can’t wait around to do anything until someone is.
With that in mind, here are 4 areas in which every leader should set the example in to their team.
1. Attitude
If you want positive team members that are looking for innovative ways to solve problems and enjoy what they do and who they do it with, start with you.
Your attitude is contagious, what do you want your team to catch?
You want them to stay positive and encouraging, not negative and destructive. Display the attitude you expect from them.
2. Personal Discipline
Stagnant water begins to stink. It gradually becomes unusable. A team member that stops growing will become marginalized, demoralized and eventually unusable.
Look for ways to help your team members grow.
Be a lifelong learner yourself, read books, listen to podcasts, take classes and attend conferences. Start by setting some goals for your year. We are all motivated by the growth we see in others.
Be a motivating force for your team.
When they see you making the effort to learn and become a better you, they will be challenged to do the same.
3. Time Management
You should be showing up on time and utilizing your time well. When you spend too much time at work doing things that are not work related, your team will follow suit. You will have given them permission to waste time.
If they see you working hard, staying focused and managing your time well, you will motivate them to do the same.
4. Work Ethic
You expect those that report to you to get their work done. You want them to put their best effort into everything they do.
We expect others to give their best effort, that is why you recruited them and want to work with them.
It will be very difficult for them to perform like this if they don’t see you doing the same. If you aren’t working hard you will debilitate your team and bring their work ethic down.
We can only expect from others, what we ourselves are willing to model.
Whatever standard you set will become their highest standard. Leadership is a gift and we must steward it well.
In what other areas do you believe a leader should be the example of ideal?
