Leadership

3 Tips for Leading by Example

Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash

Today, leaders are called to not only bring out the best in their team but also create an environment that allows for that to occur. Much of this comes from the culture defined by the leader’s actions.

Our actions speak louder than our words. That is why leading by example is so powerful. Knowing what to say is one thing, but knowing how to do it is another. The best leaders can do both, and the latter of the two is vital for successful leadership.

Here are three things you can do to start leading by example:

1. Practice What You Preach

It is often easier to solve other people’s problems than our own. That is not because we are incompetent, but because we tend to lack the courage to apply good principles to our own lives.

To know if you practice what you preach, share experiences with your team of when your advice has impacted your life positively. If you struggle to find scenarios where your advice to others has helped your life, you may not be practising what you preach.

2. Be Aware of Your Habits

Habits are things we do without giving them any second thought. For this reason, we tend to have habits that affect ourselves and others negatively. Therefore, become more aware of your habits by taking time to self reflect at the end of every workday.

Some of your habits may not seem that important, like taking a coffee break. However, these small habits are still actions you are presenting to your team regularly. So, take them seriously and think about how you can use them to set the best example possible.

3. Focus on Action

Finally, instead of thinking of the right words to say, think about the right things to do. Learn to think in terms of actions rather than words. By doing this, you will find you can say much less and do much more.

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