Picture this: you’re a team leader, and you’ve just given a passionate speech about the importance of being punctual and meeting deadlines. You rally your team, emphasizing the need for everyone to be on time and submit their work by the agreed-upon due dates. But then, you waltz into the next meeting 15 minutes late and casually mention that you need an extension on your own project. Suddenly, your words lose their impact, and your team is left questioning your credibility.
As leaders, we’ve all been there. We have the best intentions and want to inspire our teams to greatness, but sometimes, our actions don’t quite align with our words. That’s why leading by example is so crucial. When we walk the talk, we show our team that we’re not just spouting empty platitudes – we’re living and breathing the values we espouse.
Let’s take a look at a couple of real-life examples from my own leadership journey:
Embracing Transparency and Vulnerability
Early in my career, I found myself leading a team that was struggling with morale and trust issues. They felt like leadership was hiding information from them and making decisions behind closed doors. I knew that to turn things around, I needed to lead by example.
So, I started being radically transparent. I shared my own struggles and vulnerabilities, admitting when I didn’t have all the answers. I invited the team to participate in decision-making processes and openly discussed the challenges we were facing. At first, it was uncomfortable – I felt exposed and worried that I might lose their respect. But over time, something amazing happened: the team started to open up too. They became more engaged, more collaborative, and more invested in our shared success.
Rolling Up Your Sleeves
As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your job is just to delegate and oversee. But when you’re not willing to get your hands dirty and do the hard work alongside your team, it can breed resentment and disengagement.
I learned this lesson the hard way when I was leading a major process improvement initiative. I had a brilliant project plan and had delegated tasks to all of my team members. But as the project progressed, I realized that I was spending most of my time in meetings and strategy sessions, while my team was burning the midnight oil to get the actual work done.
So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and jump into the trenches with them. I took on some of the grunt work, stayed late to help troubleshoot issues, and made sure that I was working just as hard (if not harder) than anyone else on the team. It wasn’t glamorous, but it sent a powerful message: we were all in this together.
Leading by example isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about being authentic, consistent, and willing to do the hard work. It’s about showing your team that you’re not above the fray, but right there with them, fighting the good fight.
So, the next time you find yourself giving a grand speech or setting a lofty goal, ask yourself: am I prepared to walk the talk? Because that’s the true test of leadership – not just saying the right things, but living them out every day, even when it’s tough. Your team will thank you for it.