Embracing Your Leadership Example

In a May 2015 article entitled “How the Navy Seals Train for Leadership Excellence” SEAL trainer/educator Brandon Webb includes a perfect example of leadership.

“Leading by example means never asking your team to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself,” Webb writes. “This can’t be faked, do it right and your team will respect you and follow you. Don’t do this, especially in a SEAL team, and you are doomed as a leader. I’ve seen it happen, and careers ended when it did. Lead by example and watch your team elevate you with their own accomplishments.”

The lessons I learned in leadership from my first boss included these two principals, plus many others. I always felt that if I asked someone to stay late and work then I certainly better be willing to do the same. Or better yet, I should have already put in my time so the team I was working with knew my expectations, based on my work habits. Examples of this can include doing tasks as small as going to the post office for mail when everyone else is busy, or going out in the cold to service the ATM machine when you know the team does this every day. It is the small things that people remember, and I think the small things allow you to lead by example as often as you can.

Additionally, as a leader you need to understand the struggles the team is having and the only way to do that is to be there with them as they work through their day. During a time when our bank was acquiring a new bank, I worked the call center phones so I could hear what customers were saying, and the challenges they were facing. It allowed me to immediately address issues and get our team together to resolve them for the customers. It also sent a message to the staff that I was not expecting them to take all the heat, but that I would be there with them during those challenging times. These opportunities go a long way towards building a strong team and strong future leaders for our company. It becomes part of our culture.

In that same vein, another habit I have come to embrace in leadership is to take a “walk·a·bout,” which the dictionary will tell you is an informal stroll among a crowd conducted by an important visitor or a walking tour.

In order to know what is going on and to understand day to day challenges, take a “Walk-a-bout”! I like to get a cup of coffee or water in the morning and walk around the building to see what is going on. Did everyone have a good weekend? How is your family? Do you have anything on your desk that is a real challenge? It is an opportunity to thank them for everything they did last week. I admit I should do this more than I do. But when I do, I find out more about the business of the bank and challenges our team is facing. The real challenge is to do this with 18 branches, but our Executive Officers try to get around to each branch monthly if possible. We don’t always make it, but it is valuable face time when we do, and I encourage you to lead by example and take a walk-a-bout whenever you can as you move along your career path.

This Month's Guest Writer

William W. Harrod
First Harrison Bank, Corydon
President / CEO