Leadership Competency #5
Setting the Example
July 2003
ALD, Inc.
Mastery of Leadership Skills for Professional & Personal Development
ALD’s philosophy of leadership is that leaders can transform organizations, but leadership is not a role belonging solely to the high-ranking officials within the organization.
Leadership is manifested in the characteristics and behaviors of people throughout the organization – at all levels. ALD’s purpose is to assist organizations with the mastery of leadership behaviors.
With that in mind, each month we are examining a competency associated with leadership. Whether the leadership is required in an “at work” function, or a community or sports program, basic skills apply. The competencies are in no ranked order; they are merely a set of skills “leaders” at all levels of organizations should master.
Some of the competency narrative is adapted from the work of Bela Banathy, a former chairman of the Leadership Training Committee of the Monterey Bay Area Council, BSA. His theory was based on “leadership development by design”.
At the end of this article we have included a recommendation for an ideal ALD resource to further develop the competency.
This month we feature the Leadership 2000 & Beyond Workshop.
This is a skill-building education in the basics of effective leadership:
Knowing Yourself, Facilitating Change, Managing Performance and Developing Others.
Newly promoted leader/managers, management candidates or tenured leader/managers can gain a great deal from this program.
Leadership Competency #5 - Setting the Example
Those we look up to inspire us all; we want to emulate their behaviors and practices, to be more like they are. Setting the Example is one way an effective leader sends messages, conveys expectations and begins to influence behaviors and practices within an organization.
This competency enables the leader to:
- See that Setting an Example is an important part of managing teams and individuals.
- Recognize the leader's responsibility for setting the example.
- List seven ways a leader can set a good example.
About Setting the Example
Setting the Example is your personal behavior independent of external influences. While a very simple competency on the face of it, none is more important. Fail to demonstrate this competency to members of your group, and you are doomed to negative results. No matter how good a line you talk, if you don't match it with your behavior, you will enjoy no respect and find it increasingly difficult to get people to work with you. Trust, credibility and influence are all shaped by the example a leader sets.
It may be more difficult under some circumstances to set a positive example, but that doesn't stop you! Setting the Example is where your backbone shows. If you have character, if your character has integrity--that is, if who you are on the outside is lined up with who you are on the inside--you will accomplish far more than you might imagine possible. For this kind of leader, as long as s/he takes care of her/his follower's needs, enjoys their respect, loyalty, and even love.
Influencing Others
If you fail to set the example, why should you expect team members to do any better? To help keep the team together and get the job done, everything you do and say should line up with the best possible examples of leadership. When you set the example, you help facilitate the results you want as a leader.
The essence of Setting the Example is to remember that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, imagine that someone in your organization is taking a mental picture of you when you are least aware of it--and that will be the one image that sticks in his or her mind.
Every leader has a special responsibility to set a positive example. As a leader, you are constantly watched by those you work with.
Seven Key Ways to Set an Example
Follow the Rule Book
If you play league ball, you play by the league rules. Listen to those in authority. As they gain your respect, respect their authority. If you don't understand the rules, ask questions until you do. If the rules don't make sense, work at getting the rules changed.
Try Hard
Following instructions may not be enough. Some teams win, some lose, even in the same league, playing by the same rules. Always do the best job you can. Give more than 100%. Persistence and consistency can make up for shortfalls in other areas.
Show Initiative
Focus on what needs to be done without putting it off until forced to do it. Avoid procrastination. Seize the day. Nothing everything comes to those who wait. Ask for what you want. Look for opportunities to help.
Deserve Their Respect
Show good judgment. Don't clown around, disturb others, or goof off. Don't use crude or offensive language at any time. Don't joke with someone you don't know. Their sense of humor may be entirely different than yours.
Leaders are supposed to act as if they deserved the respect of those who work for them. Nobody who demands respect ever gets it, except as lip service, while they are around. Remember that wherever you go, someone is undoubtedly glancing your way. What you do is far more important than what you say.
Know Your Job
Keep the "big picture" in mind along with the nitty-gritty. Find out what is expected by those you lead and by those you report to. Be personally proficient in leadership skills and knowledgeable about your business. You ought to be a good resource for anybody on your team, but not the best for everything. Don't wind up doing everything or you'll be doing it alone--stick to your job as leader. Know your team members' strengths and weaknesses. Know how to back each member up and make everyone look good.
Attitude, Attitude
Your opinions - on almost anything - will be noticed by your group. Some will adopt your opinions them because they would like to be like you. Do you ever seem to express attitudes that aren't the real you? Is this hypocritical? Attitudes often set the real example. Conscious, positive, attitudes can work wonders, as Goethe so eloquently described it.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Another favorite about attitude….
Attitude
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than an education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.
Charles Swindoll
Personal Appearance
Cleanliness, proper clothing, neat personal areas, are all important elements that affect other's perception of the example you set.
Setting the example is the "internal" component, if you will, of managing team and individual performance. If the leader sets a certain tone conducive to getting business done, others will follow suit (if he has earned their respect). By setting an appropriate example--acting mature, showing initiative, etc.--the group works together better and gets more done.
Another poem, author unknown, illustrates these points very well.
Leading By Example
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one--any day.
I'd rather one should walk with me, than merely show the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear.
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For, to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can say, I'll learn how to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch you hand in action through your tongue too fast may run.
Although the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,
I'd rather learn my lesson by observing what you do;
For I may misunderstand you and the fine advice you give,
But it's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
NOTE: January 2005 This workshop is under revision - please contact ALD for information
ALD, Inc.
208-762-1322
info@ald-inc.com
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