What "Standard" Are You Setting?

I believe if you look at pretty much any group, team, or department, you will find their behavior, attitudes, and performance to be a direct reflection of the leader.  A group of highly creative and productive employees is generally led by a leader that encourages a creative and productive work environment.  Of course this doesn't stand true if you are the new leader over a given group but if you've led a group for a while (over a year), the group is a direct reflection of you.

The older I get the less I listen to what people say and the more I look at what they do."

— Andrew Carnegie

If you have a group that wastes a lot of time there is likely a leader that is either too busy to notice or doesn't hold the team members accountable.  


Lots of drama within a particular group may be because the leader isn't shutting it down and setting the right example when someone comes to "tattle" on a peer.  


On the other hand, if you have a group that has fun at work but is still productive, it might be because there is a leader that is encouraging, eager to celebrate, and also sets the standard that we can have fun but we have to get our work done too.  


What makes the sitcom "The Office" so hilarious is the fact that unfortunately, too many of us have experienced terrible bosses such as Michael (if you've never watched this show just go to youtube and search it for a few clips).  Michael is the perfect example of setting the wrong standard.  

You might want to take a look in the mirror and determine what standard you are setting.  Are you barely putting in your 8 hours?  Or are you a work-a-holic that expects everyone to work at least 10-12 hours a day?  Do you value your family or does work appear more important?  Do you recognize the right behaviors and corral those that are destructive to the team?  Do you consistently demonstrate the ethics you expect of your team members?  


In summary, I think maybe Albert Schweitzer said it very well: 

Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it's the only thing.

- Albert Schweitzer