"Leaders live in fish bowl and are always being watched. They should always be conscious of that fact and take advantage of it." – Gene Klann
Leaders are being watched all the time. Every gesture, action and word is being closely observed. In a New York Times article, “He Wants Subjects, Verbs and Objects” based on an interview with Richard Anderson, chief executive of Delta Air Lines, by Adam Bryant, Richard makes the following point…
“I’ve learned to be patient and not lose my temper. And the reason that’s important is everything you do is an example, and people look at everything you do and take a signal from everything you do. And when you lose your temper, it really squelches debate and sends the wrong signal about how you want your organization to run. And it was a good lesson.”
Everything you do is an example. Leaders are closely watched all the time. You are not only being closely watched, your actions are also being assessed and people rapidly draw conclusions. Conclusions about..
- What is the right way to behave around here?
- What are acceptable ways of getting things done?
- What topics and ideas are “ok” to share and talk about? What ones are not “ok”?
- How do decisions get made?
You get the idea. This means that leaders need to be a people of integrity all the time. As person of integrity you do way you say and say what you do. You are a living example of how things ought to be done. This means leaders do the right thing even when they don’t feel like it!
So? How do you stack up? How good has your example been this week? What needs to change?
Technorati Tags: Character, Leadership, Example, Management, Change, Mentor, Coach, Business
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Ah! You’ve just helped me out!
I’ve had critic on me all week, and this just inspires me to be the bigger man. Thank you!
Very interesting. It is so true that leaders are constantly being watched. Because of this, it’s important for leaders to have a time when they can simply relax and not worry about being an example. Thanks for the post, it was a good read (^.^)v
I love this reminder to those that are leaders.
but I know I could be more active as a leader. The problem is that I am easely draged between needing to complete work at my computer and at the same time be out on the floor among the employees.
I have not been perfect myself. I wont share
Yup, I don’t think there is a single one of us who hasn’t, however slightly, “bent” the rules, or come in just a “few” minutes late, or just flat out not set the right example.
And yet, the fact remains that leadership by example is the most powerful type of leadership there is. I mean, after all, where does the word “leadership” come from? You are quite literally “leading” (like an elementary school line “leader”) someone, somewhere.
When U.S. soldiers were polled after WWII about what characteristics made the best combat officers, time and time again they said “leadership by example.” This still holds true to this day, and every “example” you set (positive, or negative) will be followed.
Great post,
Kyle
Excellent post. I like to say that as a leader, you are always on stage. People WILL talk about you, and they WILL develop a story about you, so you need to make sure that is the story you want told. When you interact with any of your followers, others are watching, because they want to know what to expect when you come calling on them. Whatever they say about you cannot escape the fact that you EARNED it – good or bad.