Leading by Example

Secrets Of Power Performance	The Brand Called You	Confident Decision Making

Ineffective leaders don't understand that actions speak louder than words. The expect people to listen to what they say not what they do. If you want to be an effective leader you need to lead by your example--not just what you say.

I knew an ineffective leader who tried to lead by decree instead of by example. He would do things like mandate that the entire organization had to wear a particular dress code on Fridays which had previously been casual day. Then he would show up in sweat pants--completely disregarding his own mandate.

Another leader of a large non-profit organization was trying to cut costs so he laid off a large percentage of the workers. Then he spent $50,000 remodeling his office and corporate apartment. The amount the had saved by laying off the employees was huge compared to the cost of the remodel, but it didn't matter. Employees saw that he was saying they needed to save money, but he wasn't willing to curb his own expenses.

Other leaders get on to their subordinates for not being at work on time, but the leader them self doesn't show up until 10am or later. They feel that they are so important that the rule shouldn't apply to them. It doesn't work like that. People are going to follow the leaders example more than following what is said. Even if they outwardly follow the instruction instead of the example, they will make up for it in other ways that hurt productivity.

What you say is important. However if your actions are different than your words people will assume the actions are what is true.

Leadership501 is a website with resources for leaders and people in management positions. Please visit http://www.leadership501.com to find out more about born leaders and other leadership topics.

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