LEAD YOUR TEAM BY POSITIVE EXAMPLE

Successful organizations have successful leaders. A successful leader leads by positive example and provides motivation and inspiration. If you have problems with culture, you want to first examine the leadership of the team. If you are the leader, what examples are you setting?

A recent example shows how an Applebee’s Restaurant executive set a terrible example. He might as well have said that his employee team members were only commodities. He allegedly told managers that employees and applicants are economically hurting, which he saw as an "advantage." He allegedly said that as inflation goes up and gas prices go up people will want to work more hours to maintain their standard of living. And he is alleged to have gone as far as suggesting lower pay scales. Imagine if you were an employee or manager in that organization. Can you describe the culture? If you were a guest in that restaurant would the service be any different. You can sense the culture the culture comes from leadership.

Let’s start with you and your personal leadership. Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I a positive and empathetic person?
• Am I the best I can be?
• Am I goal directed and do I provide goal-directed leadership to my employees?
• Do I lead by example?
• Am I motivating my people?
• Do I invest my time in the right things?
• Do I create a culture of accountability?

Those who have studied management know that the five functions of management are planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. I would agree and add that a manager must be a leader. The title of manager is something the organization conveys on you, or you call yourself owner or manager if you are in your own business. However, a leader is not given his or her power by the organization but rather by the people that are led.

To have an effective organization or team you must have an effective leader. An effective leader achieves results THROUGH people and WITH people. The leader empowers people. To effectively achieve results through people you must communicate, interact, create, and achieve goals, establish an environment of accountability, reflect vision, and establish an atmosphere where people can get motivated.

When you lead by example you create an atmosphere where people are inspired to apply organizational values and develop their shared values. This creates a sense of ownership and belonging. Further results include the establishment of strong self-discipline, respect for others and strengthened relationships, and greater work life balance.   Our behavior creates the results, and as leaders, our behavior creates the results we achieve through people.

Become the most effective leader you can be by assessing yourself and looking within for the changes that may need to happen to achieve that goal. Here is my challenge to you: If you don’t get the results you desire, as a leader it is your leadership behavior that requires change. Look at your leadership. Learn to change.   Start your journey in leadership and remember that it is a continuing journey and not a destination.

Learn how your leadership can shape culture and create a positive workplace.

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