Be the person you want your employees to be

Leading by example. 

We all think we do it. But few people take deliberate steps to ensure this is true. 

The best descriptions of how to “lead by example” are the ones that create visuals:

• Model the behavior you want to see
• Create a picture of what is possible. 

Leading by example isn’t about what you say. Leading by example is about what you do and what picture it presents.  

Bad habits

Your employees will follow your example. 

If you model bad habits, you are not just letting those bad habits continue: you are creating bad habits where none existed beforehand. 

You are the boss: people will follow your example. 

You can’t tell your employees to be on time, and then always show up five minutes late. 

You can’t tell your employees to log their client calls, and then never update the CRM yourself.

You can’t tell your employees to tell you how long they will be at lunch, and then disappear with no warning for hours at a time. 

What you say won’t matter if you don’t also act on your instructions. 

Good habits

Your employees will follow your example. 

Wait … déjà vu … 

People will match your behavior even when you are trying to save them from themselves. It’s not enough to tell people to have good habits. You also have to act out those good habits. 

You can’t tell your employees not to work long days and get stressed, and then continuously work 12 hour days.

You can’t tell your employees that they don’t have to check email outside of working hours, and then send them emails at 1 AM. 

You can’t tell your employees not to work on the weekends, and then start every Monday talking about how much you worked over the weekend. 

When your employees look up to you and like working for you, they will also want to emulate your behavior. 

Lead by example

People will, over time, match their behaviors to yours. 

Be the person you want your employees to be.