Leading by
Example
Learning Lite
Leading By Example
Setting examples as a leader
isn't a hard task to do, and you
just have to remember one
thing...
a leader is not just the person
in charge…
Why is it important?
We are all leaders. We set
examples for ourselves, our
families, our colleagues, bosses
and supervisors every single day.
How can we expect others to do
the right thing – if we don’t do it
ourselves?
There are actually many ways to
lead by example it’s not about
being the boss nor is it about
being the first to volunteer.
Why is this a principle of Behaviour
Based Safety?
• Our behaviours are everything we do and
everything we say
• We all agree that people should wear the
correct PPE, report close calls, take
responsibility for their safety and the safety of
others, follow the correct procedures and
respect other people…. and that’s just the tip
of the iceberg!
• How can we expect others to do the right
thing – if we don’t do it ourselves?
• If we aren’t doing these things, how can we
expect anyone else to?
Do You Know Someone Who Does It?
Think for a moment about someone you respect
and trust.
• The person you are thinking of is not necessarily
your line manager it could be your partner, friend,
colleague, teacher, local football team
manager….
• What do they do or say to make you think this
way about them?
• Are they clear in their instructions?
• Do they support you and help you when you need
it?
• Do they bring out the best in you?
• Do you feel they understand you?
Are you doing it already?
• The answer is yes
• We can’t help leading by example
• It happens in spite of ourselves
• The question is though – what
example are you leading with?
• Is it positive or negative?
• Leading by example negatively
brings down morale and destroys
communication and trust – and
that’s just for starters!
Remember…
What does this mean to you?
The standard you set
is the one you walk
away from.
Positive
If you see something not ‘correct’
and you improve the situation
before walking away… people
will see that you are setting a
higher standard. They will see
you leading by example.
Negative
If you see something not ‘correct’,
and you choose to do nothing
about it – what standard are you
setting for other people?
So …. How to do it positively?
• Be confident of who you are
• Demonstrate what you believe in by giving others a
positive example
• Build trust by doing what you say you will do
• Ask questions, talk it through with your colleagues,
check your understanding if you feel you are being
asked to compromise what you believe in
• Build solutions collaboratively and only say “no” to a
request with evidence and an alternative suggestion
• Welcome feedback and ask for suggestions to
improve
…and…
• Be the leader you want someone else to be for
you.
– Speak with respect
– Tell people when they have done well
– Help people when things are going wrong
– Keep your promises
– Do what you say you will do
– Be open when people come to you
– Make decisions
So what did we learn?
• We are all leaders
• We set examples for ourselves, our
families, our colleagues, bosses and
supervisors every single day
• We can’t help leading by example - It
happens in spite of ourselves
• We can event use the examples of
others to learn how to lead by
example!
• Positive examples are the most
influential
• Live by your values and what you
believe in, and help others to do this
for themselves