7

Simple Ways to Lead by

Example
Great leaders remind themselves
regularly that actions speak louder than
words.
BY BRENT GLEESON, <A HREF="HTTP://WWW.BRENTGLEESONSPEAKER.COM/"
TARGET="_BLANK">KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND AUTHOR OF 'TAKINGPOINT'</A>@BRENTGLEESON

Navy SEALs are trained to be leaders, regardless of age or rank. To put it

another way, they are trained to earn trust. As I learned with the SEALs, and
relearn continually in business, people truly follow only those they trust.
One of the best ways to build trust with the team is to lead by example. Here are
seven ways to lead by example and inspire your team.

Get your hands dirty. Do the work and know your trade. You don’t have to be
the most advanced technician on the team, but you must have an in-depth
understanding of your industry and your business. Leaders have many
responsibilities, but it is important to work alongside your team. This is a great
way to build trust and continue to develop your own knowledge and skills.

Watch what you say. Actions do speak louder than words, but words can have
a direct impact on morale. For better or for worse. Be mindful of what you say,
to whom, and who is listening. Always show support for all team members. If
someone needs extra guidance, provide it behind closed doors.

Respect the chain of command. One of the fastest ways to cause structural
deterioration, foster confusion, and damage morale is to go around your direct
reports. All team members need to respect the leadership at every level. If the
senior leaders don’t respect the chain of command, why would anyone else?
Listen to the team. As leaders, sometimes we are so consumed with providing
directive, giving orders, and, well, talking that we forget to stop and listen. If
the recruitment and training engine is functioning well, you should have a
whole team of experts to turn to for advice. One sign of good leadership is
knowing that you don’t know everything. Listen and get feedback from your
team regularly.

Take responsibility. As the saying goes, it’s lonely at the top. Blame roles
uphill. Great leaders know when to accept that mistakes have been made and
take it upon themselves to fix them. It doesn’t matter if one of your team
members messed up or you did. If you are the leader, you need to take
responsibility.

Let the team do their thing. Stop micromanaging. Communicate the mission,
vision, values, and goals. Then step back and let the team innovate. Setting this
example for the team will encourage your other managers to do the same.

Take care of yourself. Wellness and fitness are essential for good leadership.
The more you take care of yourself, the more energy you will have and the
better work you will do. The only way to build a fitness-oriented culture is to
lead by example. Get in shape and lead from the front.

These are only seven of the many ways to lead by example. This style of
leadership must be practiced continually and be performed in and out of the
workplace in order for it to be genuine.

APR 23, 2013

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.