What messages are you sending to your team? Are you relying on the old adage: Do as I say, not as I do?
If so, they’re probably not too happy with you as a leader. A survey by Opinion Research Corporation asked U.S. workers to name just one characteristic that they thought was the most important in a leader. The number-one answer was: Leading by Example.
People look to you to set the standard. That doesn’t mean you have to have all the answers, but it does mean you have to be aware of what you do. Everything communicates something — even when you go out of your way not to communicate. The two biggest contributing factors to a great leader are awareness and influence. And awareness starts with self-awareness. To be believable and credible, what you say and what you do have to be in alignment.
Before we can lead others, we must first be able to lead ourselves. If our teams aren’t motivated to perform, the first person to change is the one we see in the mirror. Because if we’re not willing to do the work needed to continually grow and excel, our teams won’t either.
The biggest contribution you can make is to be an authentic example of your standards of excellence. Then, they will follow your lead.
Tags: Alignment, First Person, Mirror, Old Adage, Opinion Research Corporation, People, Self Awareness, Standards Of Excellence, Survey Research