Words Whisper – Actions Scream!

We have all heard the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words.” How does that apply to leadership? One of the most telling characteristics of a leader’s effectiveness is whether he or she has credibility.

Do they practice what they preach, do what they tell others to do, set the example, have the right to ask of others?

Credibility is one of the keystones of effective leadership. With credibility cooperation is earned so there is no need to demand. Without it, the bottom can drop out of one’s leadership and influence.

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Looking to History for Lessons on Leadership

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Incredibly Un-credible

I once worked at a call center. There were roughly 350 employees. In one particular instance the call center manager informed the staff that the business was in trouble and needed sacrifice from everyone. He said that to weather the storm everyone would be required to come in early, stay late, and work as many hours as possible putting all personal activities (college, children, etc.) on the back burner. He told the staff, “Only through sacrifice will their jobs be secured.”

Then to make his point—he went home early. Not just that day but several others during the so-called emergency.

The response to his call-to-action fizzled with his early departure. In fact, not only did it fissile a unified resistance began to build to employees sacrificing their time, the general consensus being if the crisis wasn’t important enough for the call center manager to sacrifice, it wasn’t important enough for anyone else to sacrifice.

Just Incredible!

A leader’s actions exemplify and promote performance both negatively and positively, for instance:

A leader’s actions, whether they intend them to or not, always sends a message.

The only questions are:

  • “Is it the message the leader wants to send?”
  • “Is it the right message?”
  • “Or it is something that I would regret?”

Many leaders, like General Patton, learn this lesson the hard way. As a leader we are a role model and what we do speaks to what we want done. We also have a set of expectations to live up to if we are to fit the role we have been given.

You could say that in order to lead others to success, that we must first lead ourselves there. In the words of Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then, is not an art, but a habit.” Our actions not only dictate what we carry out, they tell others what our values are, whether we are committed, what we think of them, and yes, are we willing to do what we ask them to do? Give yourself an effectiveness test.

Ask yourself this:

  • “Do I do ask I ask other to do?”
  • “Do I set a positive and effective example always?”
  • “Am I getting what I’m giving?

If you are getting what you’re giving and it’s not what you want, maybe it’s time for a change.

Without credibility a leader will constantly struggle to get others to follow them and do what they ask. A smile makes others smile and a frown makes others frown, and actions do speak louder than words!

So, what are you doing to ensure that you are leading by example? How are you tallying up and quantifying your statements so that you can know that you are living by them? Who have you found to be an accountability partner to help keep you on track? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

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A. D. Roberts is President/CEO of A. D. Roberts Consulting, Inc. in North Augusta, SC and author of
21st Century Leadership–How to Lead Effectively and Develop People Successfully. www.adroberts.com

Image Sources: clevelandleader.com, rlv.zcache.com, christinekane.com

L2L Contributing Author

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