Are you leading by example ?

The mark of a good leader lies in their ability to "walk the talk." Though what does it mean to lead by example ?

To lead by example means to guide others through your behavior instead of your words. Your intention is to inspire others to copy your behavior. 

The opposite of leading by example is to say one thing and do another. The saying “do as I say, not as I do” may have worked in the past, but it has no place in today’s world from my opinion. Even less when facing transformational times, for instance as we do in #SaudiArabia now.

The new generation of team members want to see that your actions mirror what you say. This means aligning your habitual practices, routines, and behaviors with your core values.

That doesn't mean that you get it right every time, none of us is perfect as we say. But colleagues are quick to notice inconsistency and contradictions in their managers and leaders. Alignment is at the heart of being an authentic and genuine leader, in opposition to self centered.

In the end, the purpose of leadership is to be the change you want to see in your organization (another reference to Gandhi indeed), to the long term benefit of the company, and people not your own personal goals.

Why is it important you will ask ? Let me summarize it around 4 points.

1. Boosts employee morale 

A great leader knows that their actions influence employee attitude, satisfaction, and performance. When leaders lead by example, morale goes up. This leads to greater company loyalty and higher productivity. Don't we all want to work in a positive environment where we feel supported ?

2. Builds trust and respect

Someone who leads by example can expect to receive trust and respect from their team. Superiors see them as someone who is capable of running a team, and employees see them as trusted mentors and support. A trusted leader can also inspire colleagues to respect and trust each other. This organizational cohesiveness can increase the quality level of service delivery leading to stronger customer loyalty. Don't we all want a leader we can rely on to work successfully together instead of a distant boss not really part of the team ?

3. Fosters a positive work culture 

Workplace culture is the character of an organization. It may include the business’s goals, work practices, beliefs, and behaviors. Businesses that have leaders who "walk the talk" embody these values daily. This commitment to workplace values inspires a positive work culture and happy employees. don't we all want to share a common goal that we commonly wish to achieve ?

4. Increases productivity 

It’s easier for teams to be productive when they see their leader doing the hard work, keeping commitments, and focusing on shared outcomes. There tends to be a deeper desire to work hard and do work that makes the team proud. When a leader's actions and words align, the team doesn't waste energy trying to decode their intent or agenda. Through example, leaders also teach their teams to develop more effective and efficient processes. Don't we all want to have a one team spirit at work ?

There might be many more which can come to mind, though for me those are key drivers.

Hence this culture/approach has to be driven every day, through every single action you are taking. So... what are you doing to be a leader that shows the right example today ?