Leading by example

Those who lead by example let their actions (and not their words) exemplify acceptable forms of behavior or conduct. In a manager-subordinate context, the intention of leading by example is for employees to emulate this behavior or conduct themselves.

Aspect	Explanation
Leading by Example	– Leading by Example is a leadership approach where a leader sets a positive and influential precedent through their own actions, behaviors, and work ethic, inspiring and motivating others to follow suit.
Core Principle	– The core principle of leading by example is that leaders should embody the values, work ethic, and behaviors they expect from their team members. It’s about demonstrating rather than just instructing.
Behavioral Consistency	– Consistency is key. Leaders should consistently model the desired behaviors, whether it’s punctuality, professionalism, teamwork, or ethics, to establish credibility and trust among their team.
Inspiration and Trust	– When leaders lead by example, they inspire and earn the trust of their team members. Team members are more likely to respect and follow a leader who practices what they preach.
Impact on Culture	– Leading by example has a significant impact on organizational culture. When leaders consistently display positive behaviors, it can shape a culture of accountability, integrity, and high performance.
Communication	– Actions speak louder than words. While communication is important, leaders who lead by example recognize that their actions often carry more weight and influence than their verbal directives.
Teachable Moments	– Leaders can use their own experiences and actions as teachable moments for their team. By sharing their successes and failures, leaders can impart valuable lessons and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Challenges	– Leading by example can be challenging as leaders are under constant scrutiny. They must maintain a high level of consistency and integrity. Any lapses can erode trust and have a negative impact on the team.
Positive Outcomes	– The positive outcomes of leading by example include increased employee engagement, better teamwork, improved morale, and higher productivity. It can also contribute to reduced turnover and enhanced reputation.
Role Modeling	– Effective leaders often serve as role models not only in terms of work-related behaviors but also in terms of values and ethics. Their actions set the tone for the organization’s ethical standards.
Adaptability	– Leading by example also involves adaptability. Leaders should be open to feedback and willing to modify their behaviors if necessary to align with evolving organizational goals and values.

Table of Contents

Understanding leading by example

Leading by example – also known as servant leadership – is a leadership style where the superior models the behavior they want to see in their subordinates.

In the process, they clarify acceptable forms of conduct and ensure every member of the team works with confidence and purpose toward common objectives.

Leading by example can also be embodied by subordinates who have some form of influence over others.

They may exhibit desirable personality traits that others feel compelled to imitate, take a stand on an important issue, or possess expertise on a particular subject.

What does leading by example look like for managers?

Leadership in business takes many forms and in some cases, can extend beyond the workplace. Here are some examples:

The leader who comes in early or works weekends with subordinates to ensure a complex project is delivered on time.
The team member who is detail and deadline-oriented and consistently delivers work on time and within budget.
The CEO who makes time in their busy schedule to attend diversity and inclusion training to show subordinates they take it seriously.
The employee who volunteers to do less desirable jobs at the company working bee, and
The team member prioritizes employee development and growth by creating and running workshops.

Leading by example best practices

In this section, let’s take a look at some of the ways leading by example can be embodied:

Show empathy

Empathy is contagious in business and is well suited to leading by example.

When leaders show empathy, it provides a safe space for team members to do likewise.

Empathy promotes an environment where employees feel they can discuss difficult issues like unethical behavior or harassment.

Listen to the team

Those that lead by example understand the limits of their knowledge and know that even the most junior employees have the wisdom to share.

This is particularly true of specialist teams recruiting members for their skills or expertise.

Resolve conflict constructively

Leaders cannot expect their team to handle conflict well if they themselves shut down after a disagreement.

Leading by example, in this instance, means addressing conflict calmly and productively.

Managers must acknowledge the problem, briefly explain their reasoning, and conclude with a neutral solution.

Bounce back from failure

Failure is an inherent part of life and business but it can nevertheless leave employees deflated and unmotivated.

Those who lead by example recover after failure by inspiring employees to dust themselves off and try again.

They remind employees that all failures are learning opportunities and ensure they maintain adequate perspective.

Key takeaways:

Those who lead by example let their actions (and not their words) exemplify acceptable forms of behavior or conduct. In a manager-subordinate context, the intention of leading by example is for employees to emulate desirable behavior or conduct themselves.
Leadership in business takes many forms and in some cases, can extend beyond the workplace. It can also be embodied by individuals within teams who can influence others in ways not related to their job title.
Some of the many ways a manager can lead by example include showing empathy, resolving conflict constructively, listening to the team, and proactively bouncing back from failure.

Leading by Example Key Highlights:

Definition and Purpose: Leading by example is a leadership style where actions, rather than words, set the standard for acceptable behavior. It aims for employees to emulate these behaviors.
Servant Leadership: It involves modeling behavior to clarify conduct expectations and drive the team toward common goals.
Variety of Examples: Leading by example is not limited to managers; it can be exhibited by anyone with influence. It can include actions such as working alongside subordinates, prioritizing diversity training, volunteering, or facilitating workshops.
Empathy: Leaders should display empathy, creating a safe environment for employees to express concerns and discuss difficult issues.
Listening to the Team: Acknowledging others’ expertise and wisdom, particularly in specialized teams, fosters a culture of respect and collaboration.
Constructive Conflict Resolution: Leaders should address conflicts calmly, explain their reasoning, and work toward neutral solutions to demonstrate productive conflict management.
Resilience After Failure: Leading by example involves bouncing back from failure, inspiring employees to learn from setbacks, maintain perspective, and persevere.

Related Frameworks, Models, or Concepts	Description	When to Apply
Transformational Leadership	Transformational Leadership is a leadership approach that inspires and motivates followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes by articulating a compelling vision, fostering innovation and creativity, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Transformational leaders lead by example by modeling the values, behaviors, and attitudes they expect from others, serving as role models and sources of inspiration for their teams. By demonstrating authenticity, integrity, and passion, transformational leaders inspire trust, commitment, and engagement among followers and drive positive change and organizational performance.	Apply Transformational Leadership principles to lead by example and inspire others to embrace change and pursue excellence. Use it to communicate a compelling vision, set high expectations, and empower individuals to take ownership of their work and contribute to collective goals. Implement Transformational Leadership as a framework for building trust, fostering collaboration, and driving organizational transformation to create a culture of innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement.
Servant Leadership	Servant Leadership is a leadership philosophy that prioritizes serving others’ needs, promoting their well-being, and facilitating their personal and professional development. Servant leaders lead by example by putting the needs of their followers first, listening empathetically, and empowering them to grow and succeed. By demonstrating humility, empathy, and compassion, servant leaders create a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and motivated to perform at their best. Servant leadership fosters trust, collaboration, and teamwork, enabling organizations to achieve shared goals and fulfill their mission and purpose.	Apply Servant Leadership principles to lead by example and serve the needs of others with humility and compassion. Use it to build strong relationships, empower individuals, and create a culture of care, trust, and mutual respect. Implement Servant Leadership as a framework for fostering employee engagement, promoting diversity and inclusion, and driving organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
Authentic Leadership	Authentic Leadership is a leadership approach that emphasizes self-awareness, transparency, and integrity in one’s actions and interactions with others. Authentic leaders lead by example by staying true to their values, beliefs, and principles, and being genuine and transparent in their communication and behavior. By demonstrating authenticity and integrity, authentic leaders inspire trust, credibility, and respect among followers and create an environment where openness, honesty, and collaboration thrive. Authentic leadership fosters a culture of authenticity, where individuals feel empowered to be their true selves and contribute their unique talents and perspectives to collective goals.	Apply Authentic Leadership principles to lead by example and demonstrate authenticity, transparency, and integrity in all interactions. Use it to build credibility, trust, and rapport with others and create a culture of openness, honesty, and mutual respect. Implement Authentic Leadership as a framework for cultivating self-awareness, fostering trust-based relationships, and driving organizational excellence and ethical behavior.
Emotional Intelligence	Emotional Intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, effectively. Leaders with high emotional intelligence lead by example by demonstrating empathy, self-awareness, and emotional self-regulation in their interactions with others. By showing empathy and understanding, emotionally intelligent leaders build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and inspire trust and loyalty among followers. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to connect with others on a deeper level, build rapport, and create a positive and supportive work environment conducive to collaboration and high performance.	Apply Emotional Intelligence principles to lead by example and demonstrate empathy, self-awareness, and emotional self-regulation in interactions with others. Use it to build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and create a positive and supportive work environment. Implement Emotional Intelligence as a framework for developing leadership skills, fostering teamwork, and promoting individual and organizational well-being and success.
Positive Leadership	Positive Leadership is a leadership approach that focuses on leveraging strengths, fostering optimism, and cultivating a positive work culture to enhance individual and organizational performance and well-being. Positive leaders lead by example by promoting positivity, resilience, and a growth mindset in their teams, and encouraging individuals to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and strive for excellence. By demonstrating positivity and optimism, positive leaders inspire confidence, creativity, and innovation, and create an environment where individuals feel empowered and motivated to achieve their goals. Positive leadership fosters a culture of positivity and collaboration, where individuals thrive and organizations achieve sustainable success.	Apply Positive Leadership principles to lead by example and cultivate a positive work culture that fosters optimism, resilience, and growth. Use it to inspire confidence, creativity, and innovation, and empower individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Implement Positive Leadership as a framework for promoting well-being, fostering engagement, and driving organizational performance and success.
Inspirational Leadership	Inspirational Leadership is a leadership style that inspires and motivates others to achieve extraordinary results by articulating a compelling vision, instilling a sense of purpose and meaning, and leading by example with passion and enthusiasm. Inspirational leaders lead by example by embodying the values, behaviors, and attitudes they want to see in others, and by communicating their vision with clarity, conviction, and authenticity. By demonstrating passion, energy, and commitment, inspirational leaders inspire trust, commitment, and engagement among followers and create a shared sense of purpose and direction that drives organizational success.	Apply Inspirational Leadership principles to lead by example and inspire others with a compelling vision and sense of purpose. Use it to communicate your vision with passion, authenticity, and conviction, and empower individuals to contribute their talents and ideas to achieve collective goals. Implement Inspirational Leadership as a framework for fostering motivation, engagement, and alignment, and driving organizational transformation and success.
Ethical Leadership	Ethical Leadership is a leadership approach that emphasizes ethical behavior, integrity, and moral values in decision-making and actions. Ethical leaders lead by example by demonstrating honesty, fairness, and accountability in their conduct and by upholding ethical standards and principles in all aspects of their leadership role. By modeling ethical behavior and holding themselves and others accountable for ethical conduct, ethical leaders inspire trust, respect, and confidence among followers and create a culture of integrity, transparency, and ethical responsibility. Ethical leadership promotes ethical awareness, decision-making, and behavior, and contributes to organizational reputation, trust, and sustainability.	Apply Ethical Leadership principles to lead by example and uphold ethical standards and values in all interactions and decisions. Use it to foster a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability, and encourage ethical awareness and behavior among followers. Implement Ethical Leadership as a framework for promoting ethical conduct, mitigating ethical risks, and enhancing organizational reputation and trust.
Leadership by Values	Leadership by Values is a leadership approach that emphasizes the importance of aligning actions and decisions with core values and principles to guide behavior and achieve organizational goals. Leaders who lead by values lead by example by demonstrating integrity, authenticity, and commitment to their values in all aspects of their leadership role. By articulating clear values and expectations, and consistently modeling desired behaviors, leaders create a culture of trust, respect, and accountability, where individuals feel empowered and motivated to act in accordance with shared values and principles. Leadership by values promotes ethical conduct, organizational cohesion, and sustainable performance.	Apply Leadership by Values principles to lead by example and align actions and decisions with core values and principles. Use it to articulate clear values and expectations, and demonstrate integrity, authenticity, and commitment to your values in all interactions and decisions. Implement Leadership by Values as a framework for fostering a values-driven culture, guiding behavior, and achieving organizational goals and objectives.
Transactional Leadership	Transactional Leadership is a leadership style that focuses on maintaining stability and achieving goals through contingent rewards and corrective actions. Transactional leaders lead by example by establishing clear expectations, providing rewards and incentives for performance, and addressing deviations from standards through corrective measures. By clarifying roles, setting goals, and providing feedback, transactional leaders create structure and accountability in their teams and ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Transactional leadership emphasizes transactional exchanges and compliance with established rules and procedures to achieve organizational objectives.	Apply Transactional Leadership principles to lead by example and establish clear expectations, rewards, and consequences for performance. Use it to provide structure, feedback, and accountability in your teams, and ensure that tasks are completed in accordance with established standards and procedures. Implement Transactional Leadership as a framework for managing day-to-day operations, achieving performance targets, and maintaining stability and order in the organization.
Coaching Leadership	Coaching Leadership is a leadership approach that focuses on developing individuals’ skills, capabilities, and potential through personalized support, feedback, and guidance. Coaching leaders lead by example by investing time and resources in the development of their team members, providing constructive feedback, and creating opportunities for learning and growth. By fostering a coaching mindset and culture, coaching leaders empower individuals to take ownership of their development, overcome challenges, and achieve their professional goals. Coaching leadership enhances performance, engagement, and retention, and creates a culture of continuous learning and improvement.	Apply Coaching Leadership principles to lead by example and invest in the development and growth of your team members. Use it to provide constructive feedback, support, and guidance, and create opportunities for learning and skill-building. Implement Coaching Leadership as a framework for developing talent, building capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement in the organization.