Show Your Leadership...Don't Just Talk It

Leadership comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes, but I believe the most effective leadership always has "example leadership" at its foundation. No matter what your captains say or what your manager says, or what your CEO says, a team will not consistently follow the leader’s words if those same words aren't followed up by the leader’s actions. Practicing what you preach and exemplifying the very things you want those you're leading to do are critical components of leadership. What you say can help you lead, but on its own, it doesn't get it done over time. 

In my mind, example leadership is mandatory; verbal leadership may not be. People are always observing and reading their leaders. They expect more than words before they buy into what the leader wants. They are looking for examples of the leader doing exactly what he or she is asking them to do.

Championship teams always include one or more players who are experienced leaders who are also considered to be the hardest workers on the team. Every day they work on their games or their bodies, and most days on both. When they place demands on their teammates, their teammates know these leaders aren't asking them to do anything they aren't willing to do themselves. Leaders walk the walk, and their teammates see them doing it every day. They have seen their leaders do exactly what they are being asked to do.

I was lucky enough to work for Doc Rivers for 13 years in the NBA. Doc was and is a team-first leader, holding himself accountable first. No day goes by that Doc doesn't do what he asks of the team. His work ethic and attention to detail are "givens," as they are with most great leaders. One great example with Doc: as soon as he got on the plane after a game, he was watching that night's game film to evaluate his mistakes, not just the team's mistakes. This might not seem like much, but I think it speaks volumes. 

The best leaders don't just talk a good game. The “talk-only” leaders are going to be found out (and many times called out) eventually, and they will lose the trust of their staff and team. The best leaders are willing to show, not just tell how to get things done. They live the life of their requests. They ask those they lead to help them reach the team's goals, not just instruct them to do all the work!