Page 145 - Everything I Know About Business I Learned

Lead by Example

✔ Become customer driven. The closer you are to the customer,
and the employees who service the customer directly, the
more you will benefit by being close to the action. Observe,
mentor, show, praise, correct, and communicate when out of
the office environment.
✔ Never underestimate your actions. Staff at all levels is con-
stantly picking up on management’s cues. Turn this into an
opportunity to coach employees. Your access and visibility will
give you a great occasion to show commitment to your
employees and remove barriers to their achievement of com-
pany goals.
✔ Turn field visits into teaching moments so that associates will
gain an appreciation for qualities your organization values as
well as areas that require improvement.
✔ Use field visits as an opportunity to understand what goes on
at the lowest levels. This approach provides a surefire method
115
for understanding operations systemwide, both in what is
working as well as what can be improved.
✔ Highlight the career path at your organization. Demonstrate
how those who live and breathe your mission and values find
new opportunities for growth. This is an excellent strategy for
retaining talent. Show the opportunities.
✔ Establish meaningful philanthropic roots in the community.
Stakeholders will appreciate your efforts in making their world
a better place, and will value the importance of “giving back.”