Top 10: Way to Lead by Example

Top 10: Ways to Lead by Example

by Connie Sheppard

Good leaders must lead by example. If your actions match your words, people will follow you. When leaders say one thing but do another, trust evaporates, a critical element of productive leadership.  Everyone, no matter what we do in life should strive to be a good leader - whether as a business owner, a parent, a teacher, a peer...wherever we have potential influence.  Here are ten great ways out of dozens to lead by example.

1.Take responsibility. Don’t blame others, don’t put people on the defensive.

2. Be truthful. Honesty really is the best policy.

3. Be courageous. Go through the tough stuff.  Be willing to take a risk, commit to learning new things.

4. Acknowledge failure. Acknowledging failure defines it as part of the process of becoming extraordinary!

5. Be persistent. Like Winston Churchill said, “Never give up, never give up, never, never give up.”  Obstacles shouldn’t define you.  Hurdles shouldn’t permanently trip you up.

6. Create solutions. Don’t dwell on problems; find solutions. 

7. Listen. Ask questions.  Work on understanding.  Hearing what others have to say can give you great insight.

8. Delegate.  What you can have others do for you to make your time more useful, and more profitable – let go of it, and let others do.

9. Take care of yourself. Exercise, don’t overwork, take a break. Live a balanced life – mentally, physically, and spiritually. Model it, encourage it, support it! 

10. Roll up your sleeves. Get busy, stay focused, don’t waste time.

Author’s content used with permission, © Claire Communications

VAVirtuoso Webinar - a Week of Learning

This week has really been interesting and rewarding.  I have been learning a lot from this year's VAVS webinars (VAVirtuoso).  It's fun to find out about how others do things, what other VA's are involved in, what new technology is out there, and even not so new but that I didn't know about!

I figure there's always room to grow, and learning should be an ongoing thing.  Not just in my business, but in all parts of my life.

I learned a little bit about the Cloud - which I had previously been ignoring, but now am intrigued!  Actually, I found out that in a small way, I've already been using the Cloud - just didn't realize that was what it was.

There was a webinar on responding to RFP's - which I have not done to date.  It's a Request For Proposal, and it's a way to let people know you're interested in their project or service needs.  That was very interesting, and a little nerve-wracking - but I just may investigate further.

I have had the opportunity to download some great bonus materials, and am looking for a few minutes of down time to read and absorb some of the great stuff that was given.

All in all, as the week draws to an end, I've been happy to have participated - even though I didn't get to sit in on everything.

Now, like one of my clients says, "Don't just learn.  Implement!"  (Hope you don't mind my borrowing that Stacey.)  So, off to go do some implementing.

Just a little nostalgic for the sites and sounds of Florida.  I'd love to be doing a little of my "implementing" from there!  Sigh.