We are all aware of the old cliché that in order to be successful and develop a following we must ‘lead by example’.  Leading by example sounds easy, but few leaders are consistent with this practice.

Leading by example is not about rank, title or role.  You do not have to have direct reports and a fancy title to lead by example.  Leadership is a choice, and your thinking and behaviors that you exhibit are also choices.   This does become more critical for those that lead teams and have direct report accountability.  Why is it critical for leaders? Because your behavior has a direct impact on those around you, in particular those that you have direct responsibility for leading.    

Successful leaders practice what they preach and are mindful and highly self-aware of their thinking and behavior.

How do you create engagement by leading by example?

There’s an old saying about the difference between a manager and a leader: “Managers do things right. Leaders do the right things.” You do need a combination of both to be truly effective and to inspire others to follow suit.  

As a leader, you are responsible for inspiring the people around you to deliver their best performance.  To do this, you must show them the way by delivering your best performance.

If you want to create engagement, consider implementing the following behaviors:

• Treat the business like it is your business – make decisions based on the highest good for your people and company
• Be proactive by offering your support and asking your team and colleagues what they need from you to be successful
• As we discussed in my last blog post, be accountable and deliver on your commitments
• Truly listen to what people are telling you and value their contributions no matter how small or large they may be

The ‘lead by example’ cliché is a cliché because it is true – people are influenced by the behavior that they see around them. Although what you say is important, what you do matters far more.  If you want to be influential in a positive and productive way, we must be clear on what you expect from others, and then make sure both your communication and actions are in alignment with those expectations.  

Management vs. Leadership

Do managing and leading mean the same thing to you? Successful leaders clearly understand the differences between the two styles. They also understand that leadership is critical when it comes to creating a culture of accountability & engagement in the workplace.

Here are some of the key differences between managers and leaders:

• Managers drive people to perform; leaders inspire people to perform
• Managers tell people what to do; leaders motivate people to think for themselves
• Managers often step in and do the work when times are tough or people are not delivering; leaders depend on their employees to step up and support them as necessary
• Managers tend to get caught up in unnecessary details as a result of wanting to “drive” performance; leaders are focused on providing team members with a solid foundation so that they can perform independently
• Management is about control; leadership is about giving people the freedom to think independently in order to deliver great results

What does all of this have to do with employee engagement? Everything! Be the change you want to see and lead by example.  Exhibit behaviors that will motivate and inspire others to perform, and support your people by allowing them to deliver their best performance.

What does leading by example mean to you? Please share your ideas and experiences, we would love to hear from you.