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Leadership By Doing - Setting An Example

Do do you lead by example?

There was a colleague of mine who used to tell everyone on his team to stay late, and then leave promptly at 5:30 p.m. There is also the typical manager who criticizes everyone for spending time on the Internet, but is discovered shopping online during working hours. We also may have come across finance teams who advise austerity but then splurge on something else

Do you know any of these people?

One of the worst aspects for sagging company morale are leaders who practice the "I dont walk the talk" approach. When this happens, you can almost see the loss of enthusiasm and goodwill among the teams and being replaced by cynicism

No matter what the situation is, double standards - witnessing people say one thing, and then doing another - always are big let downs. If this ever happened to you, you can probably remember that sense of disappointment and letdown.

If you're in a leadership position, then you know that you have a responsibility to your team. They look to you for guidance and strength; that's part of what being a leader is. And a big part of your responsibility is to lead them with your own actions.

There's an old saying about the difference between a manager and a leader: "Managers do things right. Leaders do the right things."

As a leader, part of your job is to inspire and motivate the people around you to push themselves - and, in turn, the company - to greatness. To do this, you must show them the way by doing it yourself.

So here's wishing all of you success and walking the talk ....

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Sundar said…
I agree whole-heartedly Anand. for the past 2 years, I can humbly say I have exemplified dedication and hard work. I treat my business as a baby that needs to be cared for 18 hours per day. The rest of the 6 hours, it is left with a nanny :)

My team sees me put in effective, efficient 14-16 hrs per day and i have repeatedly heard from them "When do you sleep, man?" :)
August 3, 2010 at 4:32 AM
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