Word-Of-the-Week #865: Role Model
March 4, 2021 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #865: Role Model
Role Model – one who sets a good example.
How many times have you heard, “Actions speak louder than words? Are you a leader that role models the behavior that you would like you staff to exhibit? Do your manager’s role model the behavior they expect of you?
This week features 6 Traits of an Effective Role Model.
Whether you’re managing a restaurant, a convenience store, or any service business, you’re a role model for your staff. Your values, attitudes, and behaviors set the standard for what you expect from others. If you want your employees to treat each other with respect, you must model respectful behavior yourself. If you want your employees to deliver exceptional service, you must treat customers with superior service yourself. It’s your actions – not your policies – that influence the performance of your staff.
Be a Better Role Model
Managers are on stage every day. Employees, customers, vendors, and many others are watching your every move and learning from your behavior. To be an effective role model, you must exemplify these characteristics every day:
Hard work.
Effective role models work hard and pitch in when their staff needs help, always demonstrating a commitment to company goals. No task is below you as a manager. If the floor needs to be mopped and there is no one available to do it, do it yourself, and do it well. Not only does that ensure critical tasks are completed, it also shows employees that the “it’s-not-my-job” mentality isn’t allowed.
- Trust.
Trust isn’t given, it’s earned. Show your team that you can be trusted by always being fair, honest, and consistent. Don’t engage in gossip, and don’t tolerate it within your staff. Employees need to know you have their backs, and you should take every opportunity you can to prove it.
- Accountability.
Role models take responsibility for their actions and inspire others to do the same. If you make a mistake, admit it and let the team know how you plan to correct the situation. Never blame others or make excuses.
- Respect.
Always show respect for all individuals; customers, employees and vendors. Respect is paramount in every situation, and is especially important during situations when you have to correct behavior. Never criticize an employee in public, and keep your feedback focused on the task at hand.
- Positivity.
Business is nothing if not unpredictable. As a manager, you need to be prepared to deal with high stress situations. Your team will be watching closely as you handle challenges. If you overreact or get easily overwhelmed, your staff will be inclined to do the same. Model the positive behavior you expect from your staff.
- Persistence.
Steady persistence in the face of obstacles or difficulties means your team can count on you in tough times. Don’t abandon tasks when times are tough, approach them with a sense of urgency and resolve.
- Integrity.
You must follow every rule you expect your staff to follow. Some managers think their position allows them bend the rules here and there. Not so. Being on time, staying productive, and following all company policies is critical to being an effective role model.
This week’s focus is on role modeling. Have you earned the respect of your staff or co-workers? Do you take responsibility for your actions and inspire others to do the same? Are you able to stay positive in high stress situations? Do you have integrity and follow the rules?
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WOW Word-Of-the-Week #505: Role Model
April 10, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #505: Role Model
Role Model – one who sets a good example.
How many times have you heard, “Actions speak louder than words? Are you a leader that role models the behavior that you would like you staff to exhibit? Do your manager’s role model the behavior they expect of you?
This is the follow up and final WOW taken from the Expert Advice Column in the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, written by Jennie Wong and titled “3 MISTAKES EVEN GOOD MANAGERS CAN MAKE.”
Jennie writes, “If you’re new to managing others, you are undoubtedly on a learning curve of your own. But what if you’ve been doing it for a while? What if 
you’re actually pretty good at it? Chances are, you’re still making these common mistakes. Good managers inadvertently commit these errors all the time, but once you realize where the stumbling blocks are, you can make a different choice and evolve to the next level of leadership.
Mistake No. 3 – Modeling the Wrong Behavior
You’re probably saying all of the right things to your staff. But are you leading by example? For instance, you may tell your employees it’s important to keep their skills up to date, but when was the last time you invested the time and money to learn a new skill or attend an industry conference?
Perhaps you want your sales reps to be out there networking, but how many mixers and meet-ups have you been to this quarter? Or do you tell your employees to stay home when they are sick but insist on soldiering into the office when you have your case of the sniffles?
Managers are people too, and we each have our own imperfections. The trick is to make sure you are setting a good example in your key actions.”
This week’s focus is on role modeling. Do your actions speak louder than your words? Do your managers expect you to act differently than they do? Do you know someone who is a good model? What could learn from them?