When I originally thought about this blog it was off the back of the COP26 summit.

I take a keen interest in climate issues and as a family we try our best to do our bit.  We drive a hybrid car, have solar panels, minimise consumption of meat (that’s the really tough one!) and have even started using a zero waste shop that has opened up near us.  Yes, it costs a little more and takes some effort, but it is what we all must do if we are to give our children a planet they can live on.

So it is more than a little frustrating to watch all these world leaders heading into Glasgow with their 26 car motorcades and private jets to get back home for a dinner with friends.  How can our leaders expect us to do the right thing when they so clearly struggle with the concept themselves?

Now this blog is about leadership not climate change and of course when I’m looking for examples of poor leadership our wonderful UK Government is a government that just keeps on giving.  

It turns out that while we were all battening down the hatches last December, giving our family calls to cancel Christmas and hoping for better things next year, our own government were having parties and laughing about it behind our backs.  How can they expect us to adhere to all the latest set of COVID rules when they clearly ignore them themselves.

But here’s the rub.  I think on the big issues of the day most of us don’t need the Government to do the right thing in order for us to do the same.  I will continue to drive a hybrid (hopefully switch to electric soon), avoid single use plastic, eat less beef, wear a mask, get a booster and avoid overcrowded Christmas parties.  I will do it because it’s the right thing to do and to set an example for my children.  Poor government behavior will not change how I behave.

However, when it comes to a business setting, leadership teams do not have the same luxury. 

It’s Important to Set the Best Examples In Business

I’ve worked in many teams over the years and it is clear to me that the best places to work, and the most productive, always have leaders that set great examples at their heart.

Not practicing what you preach or setting bad examples typically results in two things in a business setting.  

Firstly, poor behaviours are replicated throughout the organisation.  A minor example is meeting attendance and focus.  If the Senior Management team are turning up late, on their phones, reading emails or even attending multiple meetings during calls, then this becomes pervasive across the organisation.  I’ve even caught myself doing it on some occasions as it becomes the norm.  I know some will argue that multitasking is acceptable in meetings (one for another blog), but in my view, if you don’t need to be fully engaged don’t attend the meeting.  Fewer more focused meetings are far more productive than loads of meetings where everyone is half listening.

A more serious example is destructive or bullying behaviour.  When the team is led by someone who is a bully, then the team itself is more likely to attract bullies and encourage the same types of behaviour.  This leads me onto the second impact of what happens when leadership regularly sets poor examples.

We leave.  Why would you stay in an organisation where the leadership clearly does not practice what they preach.  I am stuck with the UK Government, and so I choose to do the right thing regardless of their behaviour.  In a business setting I have an alternative option, which is to find an organisation with better leaders.

Want to learn more about what makes a great team? Check out my previous blog post here What Makes A Great Team.