🥇 Lead by Example
And motivate your team.
Hey there 👋🏼
After a couple of weeks on decision-making frameworks, team happiness or culture in this remote environment, it's important to highlight a vital aspect of a leader:
You need to start leading by example.
When I started writing this newsletter, I imagined the audience as either new leaders or people interested in leadership. In either case, this thought is the cornerstone of leadership.
As you become your team's leader, they will look to you to set an example.
Even though the pressure mounts, you will get a more robust culture cemented by respect and trust.
Here are 6 steps so you can start leading by example
🔨 Get your hands dirty
Get involved with your team.
Note that I'm not saying do the work for them. You hire terrific people for a reason. You're not there to replace them.
I suggest you participate within your space of influence and help your team reach their goal.
Care about the initiative and about what they're trying to accomplish. Your team will see right through you if you don't.
But be careful so the team doesn't think you're taking over.
It's a fine line between participating and taking over. Pay attention to that.
🤩 Put your people first
I often ask my leaders, what good are we as leaders if we don't have a team to lead?
Get to know your team, what motivates them and how they want to build their career.
I know some leaders don't believe in investing in a personal connection. I do.
We're not there to be best friends, but we're also not there to be robots.
As a leader, I need to care about my team and their well-being.
Oh, and remember to give credit where credit is due. Don't think that everything good happens because of your fantastic leadership skills; anything terrible is because the team didn't listen to you.
There is no king or queen.
🛑 Don't micromanage
Trust your team.
As you mature as a leader, you'll understand that things don't always happen the way you plan or even that they're not executed the way you would.
Make yourself available to help them, coach them and help them improve.
Let them roam free but don't forget about accountability. The teams need to understand that actions come with consequences. Good and bad.
They will become stronger.
👀 Adapt to new realities
Every year, I see that the roadmap and plans we do at the beginning of the year rarely get completed without any change.
As leaders, we need to set the tone and direction of the team but always be ready to change and adapt.
Living through these changes can be hectic. Being able to navigate through the craziness that business can be and keep setting the direction of your team will make you a strong leader.
👂🏼 Listen to your team
I'm sure you've talked to managers where you were sharing an idea, feedback or a personal emotion, and you could feel that they were not really listening. They were just waiting for you to stop talking so they could reply.
Remember how you felt every time that happened, and make sure when your team talks to you, you listen to them and digest what's being shared with you.
Realise that multiple elements of your team will have different perceptions of reality and that reality is not black and white. It has several shades of grey like feelings, backgrounds, the interpretation they gave to written text, etc.
But one thing is for sure. Your team needs you to listen accurately to what's being said, to the feelings they're sharing.
🐂 No bull****
This one should be for granted, but don't tell your team you're going to do something and then not do it.
Accurately setting expectations and fulfilling those expectations creates a strong relationship of trust.
We see so many inspiring examples of people leading by example.
Through generosity, altruism, and strength, many outstanding leaders lead by example daily.
It's your time now to set the example.
That's it from me. I hope you have a fantastic weekend and that this issue helps you stand out from the crowd and lead by example!
⏱ TL;DR
Start leading by example. Here are 6 steps for you to be the change:
Get your hands dirty
Put your people first
Don't micromanage
Adapt to new realities
Listen to your team
No bull****
If you're not finding value in this newsletter please consider unsubscribing. There are absolutely no hard feelings and I already appreciate a lot your part in my journey. Perhaps in the future, we'll meet again!
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Thank you for being part of my journey!
Have an incredible month! 💪🏼
Parada 👊🏼 A Leader's Mindset