Actions of a Leader: 4

INstruct.

Leaders are teachers and teachers are leaders. This is the way. It just is.

Jesus.

MLK.

Gandhi.

Buffett.

Musk.

Winfrey.

Each of the leaders above, and countless others, instruct others as a component of their leadership style. Leadership isn’t talent, willpower, and authority on display. Leadership is instructing by influencing others and reproducing yourself in them.

One of the tell-tale signs of good leadership is when you hear someone say, “Like my Dad/Mom always said." And then they produce a bit of wit or wisdom that guided them in life. What’s going on there? It’s the lasting legacy of instruction. It’s a sign that a bit of wisdom was caught because it was taught. Good parents aren’t perfect. They’re just simple leader-teachers.

Leaders are simple teachers. You don’t have to be a Ph.D. You don’t have to be John Keating in Dead Poets Society. Here are some tips on how to live out a leadership style that values instruction:

1. Use the “I do, we do, you do” method. Examples of this are everywhere on the internet. The idea is pretty simple. You do it for them, and they watch. Then you do the task together. Then they do it while you watch and give constructive feedback. Repeat parts of the cycle if necessary.

2. If you run regular meeting times, always open with a teaching moment. It could be 5-10 minutes of instruction on some part of your mission, vision, or values. It also sends the message that you want something for your team, not just something from your team. You are willing to take several minutes to invest in them, which builds trust.

3. Value individual and team training. If you’re able to influence budgeting and allocation, plan to train your team. Teaching doesn't always mean being the teacher, rather, it means ensuring that others are taught. I don’t teach my child chemistry (my worst grade in high school, by the way) but I do make sure she is taught that subject. Same idea here.

4. Make sure that your reputation allows you to teach. You don’t have to be perfect, but you want to avoid hypocrisy. If you are carrying yourself as a model teammate, you’re probably already teaching others by example. Be the kind of teammate and leader you’d want to work for.

Leaders are teachers and teachers are leaders. Value instruction. Be a learner yourself. Model instruction to others. Plan it, budget it, and execute it.

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