Leading by Example … Are You A Horse’s Ass?

Being a leader means that your people take their cues from you. The behaviors you exhibit  are the behaviors that slowly get woven into the culture of your team. And while the saying “Do as I say … not as I do” may work with a 2 year old, it will drive your ability to lead right into the toilet.

So the question becomes … what beliefs and behaviors are forming your team culture?

Below are a list of 5 tell-tale signs you might have a problem.

5 Signs You’re Not Leading By Example:

• You act one way in the office and you are a completely different person at an office social function where alcohol is being served.
• You tell your people that you trust them and yet micro-manage the hell out’ve them by involving yourself in all the details of their work.
• You preach trust and yet you skip your managers and communicate directly to their direct reports regularly and you think this is okay!
• You’ve disciplined one or some of your people for something they see you do as well?
• You’ve heard on more than 3 occasions that you and your behavior needs to change … and yet you continue doing the same thing regardless of whether it has a negative impact on others?

A mentor once told me that if 1 person calls you a horse’s ass … ignore them. If 2 people tell you you’re a horses’s ass … pay attention. And if 3 people tell you you’re a horse’s ass … buy a saddle!

If you struggle with 3 or more of these examples you might want to buy a saddle. There is a good chance your people do not trust you and you are out’ve integrity as a leader. By the way … integrity and honesty are the #1 characteristics your people want from you.

I guess a good question might be … so what are you going to do about it?

If You’re A Horse’s Ass You Have 3 Choices:

• Continue riding your horse into the sunset till it collapses … which is inevitable, it’s just a matter of time and you probably have less than you think.
• Quit – yes same as #1 but quicker and you will save yourself and your people a lot of time, pain, & aggravation.
• Change … learn a new way to lead and get back in alignment with who you are and what it takes to be a great leader. Need help? (click here)

Sometimes we just need to hear things straight from the horse’s mouth! 

I guess that’s better than being told you act more like the back of the horse!