“The leader sees things through the eyes of his followers. He puts himself in their shoes and helps them make their dreams come true. The leader does not say, “Get going!” Instead, he says, “Let’s go!” and leads the way. He does not walk behind with a whip; he is out in front with a banner.” ~Wilfred Peterson
Whether you’re in charge of a massive organization or a high school club, the most effective approach to leadership is to lead is by example. When you lead by example, you build trust. When your team trusts you and each other, you can achieve much more in a shorter amount of time. If you’re seeking to inspire a team, it’s critical for team leaders to demonstrate that they’re part of the team; to walk the talk. Let’s explore a few strategies that anyone in charge of a team can use to lead by example.
Your words are important. Our actions indeed speak louder than words. However, it’s essential to be intentional with what you say. As a leader, your comments have a more significant impact on the enthusiasm and morale of your team. A statement given with little thought from a leader can quickly derail a team and make it challenging to keep momentum and achieve objectives.
Project unity with all organizational decisions. There may be a time when you disagree with a decision made by your supervisor or a leadership team above you in the organization. However, it’s vital that you outwardly support and champion all organizational decisions for your team. If not, you’ll likely create confusion in your team and across the organization. By creating a lack of clarity, you threaten the structural integrity of your team, and things can quickly fall to pieces.
Do the work. Be an active contributor to the team’s work. Pitch in even when it’s not required. Your willingness to work shoulder to shoulder demonstrates to the team that you’re not just the leader but also a team member. This action creates more cohesion and confidence. And ultimately increase the level of trust experienced by all team members. You’ll also gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of your team’s workflow and daily challenges.
Deepen your empathy. No one’s perfect. It’s not uncommon for a team member to have a bad day from time to time. Be sensitive and practice empathy when your direct report’s performance is off. Instead of criticizing, communicate concern and ask if there’s any way that you could help. Caring about your team both inside and outside of work helps your direct reports feel seen and supported.
Choose your battles. Avoid focusing your energy and efforts on minor conflicts between team members. Putting your attention on these minor issues denies your direct reports the agency to solve them themselves. Additionally, you’ll find your energy levels depleted on inconsequential items. Instead, stay focused on the critical decisions that will keep your team moving forward and thriving.
Listen to your team. As a leader, it’s critical to your success to know what’s going on. Avoid the temptation to provide solutions and guidance constantly. Ask more questions. Listen to the experience of your direct reports and hear their advice. Although you may be an expert, it is easy to forget that any team member isn’t smarter than the whole team. The chances are that you have more than a few outstanding team members who can provide you with brilliant insights and feedback.
Develop your team. You can’t accomplish your goals with your team. When your team is performing well, everyone benefits. So spend time and resources to ensure that each direct report deepens their skillset and expands their capacity. Invest in your team’s education and coaching to grow and overcome even bigger challenges. When you consider each direct report as an essential asset, your team and organization will thrive.
Leadership is NOT something you’re born with. Instead, it’s something you learn over time through practice. And you can become a better leader.
Even if you’re not effective now, you can grow and become an effective leader.
You can transform yourself into a powerful, passionate, and inspirational leader by adding these principles into your daily practice. You can guide and empower others to become the best version of themselves and achieve great things.
