Being an effective leader takes much more than a fancy title and the corner office. There used to be a time when leadership was about giving directions and waiting for the employee to execute the task, but thankfully times have changed.
In the modern workplace, employees do not subscribe to the theory that one person sets the tasks and then hides behind meetings and a pile of paperwork. Irrespective of whether you are the leader of a global organisation or the local convenience store, your actions, values and behaviours set the benchmark for others. Effective role modelling influences others to be proactive and positive in the workplace. Team members are strongly motivated by the actions of the leadership group and whilst there is no doubt that our words matter - our actions are what really count.
A progressive workplace expects leaders to engage and inspire workers to get the job done. Leading by example should not be executed with the desire to create a team full of robots performing exactly the same. Every worker is different and diversity of thought and experience should be embraced.
The truth is the leader is not always the most skilled person in the team. They are usually appointed for their ability to see the big picture and to inspire and connect employees to the strategic goals of the business. Leaders set the tone for the organisation and whether they like it or not are ‘on stage’ for employees, customers and key stakeholders to learn from.
While this makes a lot of sense, none of this matters if the actual behaviours and actions of the leader are not worthy of being followed. So what role modelling makes a difference?
Role Modelling Example |
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Demonstrating strong work ethics
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It is difficult to expect your team members to turn up on time if you are always late. Don’t be a clock watcher and make the hours count. Always remember output trumps ‘hours in a chair’. |
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Being accountable and owning your mistakes |
If you make a mistake, show some vulnerability, and own it. This encourages team members to do the same and feel safe. |
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Keeping sight of the goal
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It is tempting to get lost in the weeds of a task. Stay focused on the ‘why’ and ensure that each action contributes to the end goal. |
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Acting like a business owner
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Always ask yourself: “If this was my business, what decision would I make?”. No business has endless funds and it is imperative that leaders respect spending if they expect workers to. |
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Looking for the silver lining
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There is good in every situation, you just need to be prepared to look hard enough to find it. |
1. Seek feedback
It is critical that leaders have the courage to ask for feedback. Simply asking, “What part of my leadership style do you value and what can I improve on?” can provide valuable insights into what others are seeing.
2. Practice self-reflection and embrace self-awareness
After significant interactions and meetings, leaders who role model take the time to reflect on what went well as well as the opportunities for improvement. Ask yourself questions like:
3. Demonstrate empathy
Effective leadership requires the ability to demonstrate empathy, every day and in every interaction. It is easy to be judgemental or not consider the impact of a work request. Consider:
4. Be positive
Of course, leaders have bad days too but it is important they can demonstrate calm, strength and a positive perspective. Positivity is contagious and when teams are able to look for the good over the bad, they will be innovative and overcome adversity.
5. Demonstrate honesty and integrity
No one will follow a leader who is untrustworthy. Employees respect leaders who are transparent and upfront. They want the leader to take responsibility for mistakes and to give credit where it is due.
6. Make team members a priority
Offer support and encouragement and show team members that they matter. This comes from building authentic relationships and knowing what is important to each person. Show them that you have their back and believe in their ability, then watch the magic happen.
7. Lead with courage and conviction
Leadership is not about being liked but it is certainly about being respected. Employees want a relatable leader, but they also expect them to pull up employees who are not pulling their weight.
Whether they want one or not, every leader has a brand. Some leaders are known for ‘getting their hands dirty’ and rallying the troops whereas others are known for their negativity and lack of emotional intelligence (EQ). Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to effective leadership.
The best leaders are known for passing the credit and taking the blame while doing everything possible to influence the team to be positive and productive. If leaders do not want mediocrity from their team they must not be mediocre themselves. It is time for leaders to look in the mirror for excellence and hold themselves accountable to the high standards they expect from others. Effective leadership has no room for hypocrisy, but plenty of space for humility, positivity, and courage.
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Georgina is Senior Content Writer and HR Specialist – Publications at Ai Group. She is an accomplished Human Resource professional with over 25 years of generalist and leadership experience in a broad range of industries including financial services, tourism, travel, government and agriculture. She has successfully advised and partnered with senior leaders to implement people and performance initiatives that align to business strategy. Georgina is committed to utilising her experience to create resources that educate and engage and is passionate about supporting members to optimise an inclusive workforce culture that drives performance.
