1. Leading by Example Learning Lite

2. Leading By Example
Setting examples as a leader isn't a hard task to do, and you just have to remember one thing...
a leader is not just the person in charge…

3. Why is it important?
We are all leaders. We set examples for ourselves, our families, our colleagues, bosses and supervisors every single day.
How can we expect others to do the right thing – if we don’t do it ourselves?
There are actually many ways to lead by example it’s not about being the boss nor is it about being the first to volunteer.

4. Why is this a principle of Behaviour Based Safety?
Our behaviours are everything we do and everything we say
We all agree that people should wear the correct PPE, report close calls, take responsibility for their safety and the safety of others, follow the correct procedures and respect other people…. and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
How can we expect others to do the right thing – if we don’t do it ourselves?
If we aren’t doing these things, how can we expect anyone else to?

5. Do You Know Someone Who Does It?
Think for a moment about someone you respect
and trust.
The person you are thinking of is not necessarily your line manager it could be your partner, friend, colleague, teacher, local football team manager….
What do they do or say to make you think this way about them?
Are they clear in their instructions?
Do they support you and help you when you need it?
Do they bring out the best in you?
Do you feel they understand you?

6. Are you doing it already?
The answer is yes
We can’t help leading by example
It happens in spite of ourselves
The question is though – what example are you leading with?
Is it positive or negative?
Leading by example negatively brings down morale and destroys communication and trust – and that’s just for starters!

7. Remember… What does this mean to you? Positive
If you see something not ‘correct’ and you improve the situation before walking away… people will see that you are setting a higher standard. They will see you leading by example.
Negative
If you see something not ‘correct’, and you choose to do nothing about it – what standard are you setting for other people?
The standard you set
is the one you walk
away from.

8. So …. How to do it positively?
Be confident of who you are
Demonstrate what you believe in by giving others a positive example
Build trust by doing what you say you will do
Ask questions, talk it through with your colleagues, check your understanding if you feel you are being asked to compromise what you believe in
Build solutions collaboratively and only say “no” to a request with evidence and an alternative suggestion
Welcome feedback and ask for suggestions to improve

9. …and… Be the leader you want someone else to be for you.
Speak with respect
Tell people when they have done well
Help people when things are going wrong
Keep your promises
Do what you say you will do
Be open when people come to you
Make decisions

10. So what did we learn? We are all leaders
We set examples for ourselves, our families, our colleagues, bosses and supervisors every single day
We can’t help leading by example - It happens in spite of ourselves
We can event use the examples of others to learn how to lead by example!
Positive examples are the most influential
Live by your values and what you believe in, and help others to do this for themselves