Leading by example

• More leadership occurs by example than by any other means - there is a lot of truth in the old saying - actions speak louder than words.
• How much do your team members imitate what/how you do and say things?
• How much do they look to you as a role model?
• Some who copy you closely might even deny it, or be unaware of it.
• How clear are you about how you want your team to perform?
• How consistently do you perform in these ways yourself?
• What gaps are there between your expectations of them and your own actions?
• For example, do you solve their problems for them when they ask you for help or do you use open questions to draw out their solutions?
• How do you want them to behave with their team members?
• Do you say ''no'' to some requests, thinking strategically about which priorities you should focus on to add most value?
• How important is it for your team members to manage their time in a strategic manner - do the right things instead of just doing things right?
• If you're happy to take on everything that comes your way just because it's urgent, is it OK for your team to be equally reactive?
• Do you express anxiety about a possible mistake you might have made, thereby inducing risk aversion in your team?
• Is your focus internal, hence not fostering an external focus in others?
• Do you live by the values you advocate?
• Do you keep information to yourself, inducing the same in others?
• What other examples are you setting or not setting?
• Which ones do you want to retain, add, change, eliminate?
• Which examples will make you a better leader?