Leading by example: the role it plays in great leadership

You can get started with a coaching program like Multiply Your Impact to learn how to tap into your personal influence. Whether you’re leading in a manager position or as an individual contributor, F4S can improve your approach to leadership.

How to be a great leader people will want to follow

Since you’re always leading by example (both when you realize it and when you don't), it’s better to put your best foot forward and set an admirable example to contribute to a more positive work environment. Here are a few ways you become the type of leader—regardless of your rank or position—that people will want to follow.

1. Match your behavior to your core values

If you are someone who has integrity, you’ll be a successful leader because you follow your values, even when it’s tough. You strive to do the right thing and are honest when you fall short of living your values.

Saying you believe in work-life balance or honesty is great, but if your actions contradict this by working late or telling white lies all the time, it doesn’t do you any good. Not only will your team members and subordinates respect you more if your behavior aligns with your values, but you’ll also avoid contributing to a culture of double standards.

Acting according to your values will set the right example for people to follow and will encourage those who may not have followed your lead before to take note of the example you set.

2. Practice empathy

The ability to connect with others is a leadership skill that can help you be a better leader, whether you manage people or not. By having empathy for others, you can build stronger relationships with your colleagues, which can create a more respectful company culture.

Leading with empathy can also promote an environment where employees are comfortable speaking up about difficult topics that are important to address, such as workplace harassment or unethical behavior.

Empathy is also contagious, meaning that the more employees show empathy to each other, the more comfortable people will feel being vulnerable and caring for others at work. Michelle Duval, F4S founder and researcher, shares her own vulnerabilities in the video below. She also discusses why leaders should be vulnerable and the difference between being vulnerable and over-sharing.

3. Have a strong work ethic

If you lead a team but have a terrible work ethic, your team will likely follow your example and not value their work and contributions at all. Poor work ethic is a sign of a not-so-great leader and will be an indication that you’re not ready to be given more responsibility.

To demonstrate a strong work ethic, make sure to take pride in your work, be willing to go the extra mile, and be a team player that people want to work with. If you set the example of doing a quality job, the work environment will be more productive and other employees may follow suit, especially if they report to you. Plus, you'll stand out to senior leaders.

4. Have clear and reasonable expectations (for yourself and others)

You will only be an effective leader if you have reasonable expectations of yourself and others. For some people who tend to be perfectionists or have anxiety, this can be a harder lesson to learn, especially when it comes to themselves. However, giving yourself grace and maintaining boundaries can help with your mental health and actually make you more productive and relaxed at work.

The same goes for your expectations of other people. If you’ve ever had a boss where you felt like you couldn’t do anything right, you know the frustration that can create. Having high expectations of your employees is okay, but make sure the expectations are attainable. Plus, everyone makes mistakes (yourself included). Give your team the space to make those mistakes and learn from them.

5. Place trust in your team

A good leader knows their team is the backbone of any success and trusts their team’s abilities to do the work. If you don’t trust your employees or coworkers, this can create hard feelings and an uncomfortable work environment. It also could lead your employees to distrust each other, making collaboration even harder.

By showing trust in your team or coworkers, you help promote a culture of confidence and teamwork.

6. Show mutual respect to all your colleagues

Respect for others is critical in leadership and shouldn’t be limited to your superiors or people who can do you favors. Everyone brings different skills and perspectives, and this diversity can bring new ideas to the table and ultimately make an organization better.

Recognize the unique value everyone brings to the team, and be sure to treat everyone equally and with kindness. Treating others with blatant favoritism or disregard makes it difficult for employees to respect you as a leader and, even worse, can create a toxic workplace.

7. Show a willingness to learn and improve

If you don’t show an interest in learning or doing better for yourself or your team, how can you expect others to want to improve? A great leader keeps an open mind and is willing to hear constructive feedback and take those pointers into consideration to improve moving forward.

If someone corrects you or provides feedback on your work, thank them for the note and ask any clarifying questions that will help you understand what next steps you should take. Your employees, coworkers, and superiors will appreciate your humility and eagerness to learn. This promotes a mindset of continuous improvement within your team and will encourage others to look into innovative solutions or pursue additional training.

Leading by example can be tough sometimes (and you're bound to make mistakes)

There’s no doubt that knowing that you’re leading by example can be a lot of pressure to deal with. That being said, it’s important to recognize that we all make mistakes from time to time. A true leader will know they’re going to slip up occasionally, and when one of those blunders comes along, they’ll own up to it and try to make it right.

Keep in mind that the example you set when things go wrong is just as important—if not more important—as the example you demonstrate when things are going well. Other people will notice how you act in these moments and be impressed if you pick yourself up, follow your values, and act with integrity.

A good example can make all the difference

Good leaders know they’re setting an example for their team and they use that opportunity and influence to set a standard of excellence they want their employees to follow. By promoting strong values, high yet reasonable expectations, and empathy, your company culture will strengthen and your employees will find greater success.