As I facilitated coaching sessions with several individuals the past couple of weeks, one question I asked each person was their opinion of what makes a great leader. The answers varied. However, I noticed one theme – leaders should “lead by example.”

We have been talking about “authenticity” on the blog. With that in mind and reflecting on the sessions I mentioned, what is the connection between authenticity and being a great leader?

In my previous blog, I focused on gratitude in relation to authenticity. So, what does that look like for leaders? These things come to mind:

• Leaders lead by example – They never ask the team to do something they wouldn’t do themselves.
• Leaders show gratitude by thanking their team. (Remember “praise in public, correct in private”).
• Leaders know their team. (What are their likes and dislikes? When is their birthday?)

So how can leaders display gratitude? Here are a few ideas:

• Pitch in! Following the “lead by example” idea, when your team is working on a project, offer your help.
• Recognize them for their accomplishments. The key here is to find out what they enjoy and make the reward customized. If your budget doesn’t allow for an actual “reward” (gift card, etc.), recognize them in a company email or begin a “employee of the month (or week)” program.
• Find out each team members’ birthday and celebrate! If you have a large group, do a monthly birthday celebration with a cake.

Find out more about authenticity by checking out related articles on The Point Blog.