Leading by example isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a cornerstone of effective leadership, especially in the fast-paced realms of technology and innovation. When you’re at the helm of a team or an entire company, your actions speak louder than your strategies. Every decision, interaction, and even your approach to daily challenges sets the tone for your organization’s culture and values. It’s about showing, not just telling, your team how to embody the principles you champion.

For leaders in tech, where innovation and adaptability are crucial, leading by example can be as simple as how you handle failure or manage work-life balance. Are you open about your challenges and learning experiences? Do you prioritize your health and well-being, and encourage your team to do the same? These behaviors can inspire your team more than any motivational speech ever could.

8 Ways to Lead by Example and Inspire Team Success

1. Value Every Team Member’s Ideas

All teammates want to feel that they are part of something meaningful and that their contributions matter. For me, this means working to consider and include their ideas of how to make the business better. Not every idea gets implemented but I work hard to work through with them, the ones they feel strongly about, so they are heard and they develop an eye for improving things.

Justin Fite, Co-Founder, Empiric

2. Connect Personally to Strengthen Remote Teams

Especially in hybrid or 100% remote environments where digital communication is what is used a majority of the time, be vulnerable, share first, be human. Be willing to share you life outside of work, talk about your kid’s sporting event over the weekend or a new recipe you’re trying this week, or the latest book or TV series you’re enjoying. Vulnerability starts at the top and in a digital first world we need to ensure we are getting to know teams not just as the roles they play in your org but as the people they are with lives and passions.

Rachel Johnson, Fractional Marketing Executive and Growth Scaler

3. Learn Together, Raise Company Standards

There isn’t anything I would ask my team to do that I would not do myself. I showcase my approach by taking the action, presenting it, and having others do the same. We’re all excited when we’re learning from each other, improving process and artifacts together. Together, we set a new company standard that keeps improving.

Andrew Nguyen, Founding Member, Sidebar

4. Own Mistakes to Encourage Team Transparency

Own my mistakes. I’ve had team members hide their mistakes and I have seen those mistakes create major issues for the entire team farther down the road, when had the mistakes been made public and addressed at the time, far less work would have been required to fix the situation. So when I make a decision or take on a project that goes awry, I let the team know that I don’t blame the execution team, and I take responsibility. I believe that makes team members feel more comfortable taking calculated risks and letting me and their peers know when something they did went off course.

Richard Guth, Fractional CMO, Product Marketing Alliance

5. Encourage Authenticity for a Happier Workplace

I bring my full self to work, without exception, every day. I’m “Steven Plappert” before I’m “CEO of Forecastr”… “Put people first” is one of our core values at Forecastr.

I shatter traditional molds of who a CEO is, how they act, how they dress, how they talk, and I show everyone that you can have a ton of success, and be yourself.

This opens the door for others to bring their full self to work, they are happier as a result (nobody likes wearing a mask… Except superheroes I guess…) and we’re all better off for it! 

Steven Plappert, Co-Founder & CEO, Forecastr

6. Promote Critical Feedback for Team Improvement

One of my favorites is to highlight people in meetings who gave me critical feedback in private. When a team member feels bold enough to give me criticism or insight, with their permission I then highlight them in the next team gathering. The point is twofold: to thank them for their input, and to highlight what I’m doing with that feedback to improve. This encourages more critical feedback among team members while promoting a growth mindset as our desired state.  

Joseph Loria, Founder and CEO, RetentionCX

7. Lead by Example in Every Role

As we’ve grown our our organization to $10mm ARR I’ve worn every hat in the GTM organization. It’s important as a leader to lead by example and to show a proof of a concept before asking your employees to perform a task without knowing if they’ll be successful. Don’t be afraid to get in there and get your hands dirty with them, collaborate without ego, no one knows how to do the job better than the people on the front lines, so get on the front lines when deploying new concepts.

Cameron Youngblood, Vice President of Sales, Insight Assurance

8. Prioritize Health to Inspire Your Team

Put personal appointments on your calendar. As leaders, it’s important to show vs. tell when it comes to work life balance. We all need to go to the dentist and the doctor who are only open during business hours. Showing you make your health a priority rather than telling your core value of health and wellbeing gives employees permission to choose to follow your lead.

Karen Mangia, President & Chief Strategy Officer, The Engineered Innovation Group

Conclusion:

In conclusion, leading by example is about being the first to dive into the trenches and the last to leave them. It’s about being visible in your commitment, not just to the success of your projects, but to the well-being of your team. By doing so, you not only foster a strong workplace culture but also build a foundation of trust and respect that can propel your company to new heights. Remember, the most powerful leadership tool you have is your own example. Set it wisely.