Lead By Example: 7 Ways You May Be a Bad Example for Your Employees A leader sets the tone for the organization, but leaders aren't infallible.
By Adrian Shepherd •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Occam's Razor is a principle that states with all things being equal, the correct answer to most problems is the simplest and most direct one. Funnily enough, in life and business, people choose the opposite as they underestimate the power of simplicity.
I remember being asked in high school by my English teacher if we could sum up the 10 Commandments with a single statement. The people who answered first gave some complicated answers which didn't satisfy him so he kept looking. When he finally picked on me, I said, "Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself." Turned out I was right.
Applying the same logic to leadership, what would be the one sentence that captures the essence of leadership? I'll give you a few seconds to think about it. Got an answer? I'll give you a hint. It's something we have heard numerous times over our lifetimes.
The answer: Lead by example. That's it.
If the leader shows up on time, employees will show up on time. The opposite it also true. The leader is the one who sets the tone of the organization. In any organization, all eyes are on the leader. People follow leaders. Just as they will follow a leader's positive examples, they will also follow the negative actions and attitude of a leader.
Let's take a look at seven mistakes you may be making as a leader that are hurting your organization.
1. Complaining
No one likes negativity, especially when it comes from leadership. Employees look to leaders for inspiration, guidance, advice and hope. Dale Carnegie sums it up best in his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do," Carnegie writes. "But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving."
2. Failing to learn the art of criticism
Mistakes happen, from the mailroom all the way up to the boardroom. It comes with the territory. How we deal with them determines our maturity as a leader. Destructive criticism will only demoralize your team even if it's done behind closed doors. Instead, leaders must learn the fine art of giving constructive criticism. Acknowledge their strengths and how employees can improve.
Praise and recognition are things everyone craves. Successful leaders tap into that desire by offering feedback that is not only helpful, but transformative too.
3. Failure to listen
Henry Ford knew that listening is one of the most valuable skills a leader possesses. On his board, he had numerous people that disagreed with him. He didn't want a bunch of Yes Men, but rather people that would challenge his thinking.
Listening is a skill that is often overlooked by many. Those leaders that fail to listen, won't be leaders for long.
4. Lack of vision
Business is ripe with stories of companies that failed to see the changing winds. Blockbuster refused to let go of their cash cow and fell prey to Netflix. Yahoo underestimated the power of Google's search engine. Kodak created the digital camera, but stuck with film and paid the price. Innovation is always just around the corner.
Leaders must keep their ears to the ground and take swift action when they hear the rumbles in the distance.
5. Indecisiveness
As a leader, one must develop the ability to make decisions quickly. Indecisiveness is a productivity killer for teams who often have so much on their plate that one delay in their pipeline can cause all sorts of logjams. Decisiveness tells their employees there is a plan in place and we know what to do. Even if it turns out to be the wrong course of action, through taking action in the wrong way, you will learn how to correct course quickly. Without action though, people become paralyzed, unsure of how to proceed.
6. Failure to study
Great leaders understand the power of books. In the words of Walt Disney, "There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." They start their day by filling their minds with knowledge. They read articles and books both in and outside of their field. They know the golden rule of learning "garbage in garbage out." They feed their mind with ideas and inspiration. They get into the right mindset, before they even leave for work.
Related: Six Fundamental Business Lessons Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Walt Disney
7. Dodging accountability
This is an absolute killer. As a leader, the buck stops with you. If you're not willing to accept responsibility for the mistakes made in your organization, you set a dangerous standard.
After you've made it to the top, you need to make sure you don't let bad habits set in. Despite the simplicity of the aforementioned mistakes, mastering them takes a lifetime.
Related: How Teaching Helps You Become a Better, More Successful Entrepreneur
