How does one become a better leader?

Sharing the work of Zenger and Folkman, we have hit on several behaviors:

1. Focus on communicating more
2. Share more information and knowledge
3. Encourage more

Here’s a fourth: be a better role model.

Many leaders receive poor marks from their team because they don’t walk the talk. They have high expectations but they don’t live up to those expectations themselves.

When Folkman and Zenger were studying poor leaders, the teammates evaluating them frequently said that they viewed the poor leaders as “hypocrites.”

You want to have folks be safe in your operation? Follow safe procedures.

You want people to value quality in the products we produce? Stop and inspect the products and comment on the quality.

The integrity of walking the talk with your team adds to your credibility as a leader.