Leading by example is not easy, but worth it. Let us take you through what it means to lead by example, and how modeling leadership improves your business.
Don’t talk about it, be about it. That’s leading by example. It means leading through your actions, not your words. You can talk all you want, but the talk doesn't mean much unless you practice what you preach.
As a small business owner, you are the captain of your team. Every day, your team members will see your attitude and work ethic. You set the tone for your business, so you must show up and show out when it’s game time.
When it comes to leading by example, there are several ways to become an effective leader. Implementing these strategies into your daily work habits can improve your overall leadership skills. These strategies include:
Employees won’t respect a lazy boss. Your employees are going to look to you and follow your lead. If you cut corners, come in late, or have unproductive practice habits, your employees will think it’s okay to do the same.
Remember, too, that your employees want to see how it’s done. Get in the trenches with them and show them that you can do what they do. Model it for them so they understand your expectations.
You did not start your own business for an easy way out, so remember that fire you had when you first started, stay the course, and do the work.
Even though you are working on leading through your actions, you obviously cannot run a business without communication. Your team will watch you talk to customers and mirror what you do.
For example, if you encounter a difficult customer and handle the situation with grace and patience, your employees will learn from that experience. Also, you should model how your employees would want to interact with customers, so they remember that when they encounter similar circumstances.
In addition to that, be cognizant of how you speak to your employees. You are the boss, and you have the right to run your show your way. However, you can do that respectfully. Remember, the people who work for you are just that — people, so speak to them on a human level no matter the situation.
Like we said, your employees are human, which means they have feelings, ideas, and input. When working with people, there is no doubt that conflict will arise. But it’s not always the conflict that matters…it’s how you handle it.
Let’s say an employee comes to you with an idea for how to streamline a process. This is a process you came up with yourself. You spent hours practicing and testing it out. Your first reaction might be to get defensive with this employee because you are protective over this process you built.
Instead of brushing your employee off, hear them out. Try it their way. Great leaders practice humility and exemplify emotional intelligence, so swallow your pride and listen to others. You never know how their ideas could help your business.
Being accountable means taking responsibility for your actions. It’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is how you react to those mistakes.
Being accountable can also promote honesty in the workplace. If you make a mistake during your business day and own up to it in front of your employees, they will see that they can be honest with you should they ever make a mistake.
Creating a workplace accountability culture means employees are empowered to take smart risks and fail productively. If you lead by example and give them the space to learn from experience, then your business will ultimately benefit from that growth.
You hired every employee for a reason, right? Trust them to do their jobs. Whether you trained them yourself or they completed your business’s training program, your employees have been prepped for their jobs.
They do not need you lurking over their shoulder or micromanaging everything they do. Let them work. Let them make mistakes. When they do, show them how to fix it and let them make the necessary adjustment.
Teach them and allow them to grow.
When you first start your business, you create rules and regulations for your employees to follow. But you need to follow them, as well. If your employees see you ignoring rules, they will not take them seriously.
Remember that you wrote those rules for a reason. Whether for safety or business operations, they are a core part of your business and how you want it to be run. Follow your own example by following your own rules.
Respecting your rules will enhance safety, work ethic, and teamwork.
Always remember why you started your business in the first place. When tough situations arise, ask yourself:
Use your mission statement as your guide. Allow it to remind you why you do what you do. As a leader, allow your mission to lead you. Stay true to that intent and let your employees see that mission through you.
Leading by example is not only an effective way to lead, but it can also improve your overall business operations. Studies show that leading by example can improve:
These are key pillars you need to build a positive company culture. Keep reading for more information on each.
Cooperation and teamwork are the same. When you lead by example, your employees will be more likely to follow your actions. Cooperation from you promotes employee engagement. In addition to that, it promotes employee retention.
Employees who feel like they are contributing something are more likely to stick around because they care about your business’s mission.
When you work with your team, they’ll work with each other. When you pitch in, they’ll follow suit. People enjoy making a difference, so promote cooperation through your leadership skills.
Watching someone who works hard and with purpose is inspiring. As a business owner, it is your job to do both. If your employees see your heart and passion for your business, they are more likely to be motivated to work hard for your business, as well.
With work ethic, the small things make a big difference. As a leader, work on modeling these habits:
Trust yourself. Trust your employees. When employees see a confident boss who is strong in their convictions and knows their stuff, they will trust your leadership style.
Don’t be afraid to explain why you do what you do. Showing your employees what’s behind the curtain can promote a trusting relationship.
When employees see a boss who trusts them to do their job, they are more likely to do their job better and without the fear of messing up.
Trust is key for teamwork and building company culture.
The difference between a good leader and a great leader is leading by example. True leaders consistently work to grow and serve as role models for those around them. As you practice your new skills, remember:
Sources:
10 Ways to Handle Difficult Customers | Fox Business
How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence - Professional Development | Harvard DCE
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