In just the past week, I have encountered the same message on a couple of occasions, and today’s challenge once again brought it to light.  It’s such a simple lesson to understand, yet one that most everyone has a tough time implementing (Yours truly included).  I thought I would share the basic tenets with you in hopes that you will be inspired to meet the challenge. 

1. Lead by example. If you desire a certain behavior, you better darn well display it yourself.  If you make a rule or create a process, you do a great disservice to your personal integrity if you don’t follow it.
2. Reward the behaviors you wish to have repeated.  This is my BIGGEST pet peeve when it isn’t followed.  Don’t send mixed messages to your staff, employees, or subordinates with this one.  Nothing demoralizes a staff quicker.
3. Follow through. If you promise something, you better deliver. As the old axiom goes, “Under Promise and Over Deliver!”
4. Actions speak louder than words.  Your staff will follow where you are headed, not where you are pointing.  If you are lazy, but preach a solid work ethic, odds are your staff is going to follow your lazy example.

In short, Walk The Talk.  Are you up to it?

Tags: 100 Day Challenge, leadership, promises
Categories: Business.

Posted on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
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