Leadership, Role-modelling and Behaviour
Leaders cannot NOT be role-models – so be the right kind
I know I keep banging on about this, but Behaviour is such an important thing for leaders to get right.
If you have any kind of authority, responsibility, power or even visibility in your organisation, other people will base their own Behaviour on yours.
This applies whether or not you’re formally called a ‘leader’ or ‘manager’ or whatever. You cannot not be a role-model; so be the right kind.
If you want to know who in your organisation sets the standard for how things are done and what’s the right way to Behave with each other – take a look in the mirror. If you find yourself complaining or worrying about some aspect of the culture in your business, the person looking back at you from that mirror is the one who sets the tone.
People sometimes ask me, “Well, what do you even mean by ‘Behaviour’?”
The answer is simple – everything you do and everything you say.
What makes things tough for leaders and anybody who wants to manage their own Behaviour, is that what you say and do on the outside is actually the end result of a long chain of stuff that happens inside our heads and bodies – and which is often largely unconscious.
To make a start in managing your own Behaviour I recommend two simple actions:
- First, as you interact with others, be very clear about what outcome you want to achieve. Behaviour without Intention is not managed. Remember:
You cannot hit a target which is not there
- Second, have some kind of ‘Reflective’ practice. The best way is to keep a diary or journal where you can reflect on your day and set your intentions for the next.
You know yourself mostly by your thoughts. Everyone else in the world knows you only by your actions. Remember this when you feel misunderstood. You have to do or say something for others to know how you feel.
James Clear
As usual, please leave me a comment if they’re still open below, or tweet me @NickRobCoach.
What aspects of being a role-model, or of Behaviour at work are important to you?