When was the last time you led by doing, by making something happen yourself? I know we are taught to delegate. To encourage others to grow and to develop new skills. Create more ”leverage” by getting others to do more than you can do yourself. In many ways this is the basis for any business. But how many times have you worked for a leader who is all advice and no action? I know a few. They talk a good game. In fact they talk a great game; because that is all there is to their game. The talk is easy and full of big words and it sounds good. Until you try and take it back and implement it, what did they actually say? I bet if you think about it, you know this person where you work too.
 
Leading by doing means helping to keep a new business deal alive by staying close to it. By listening and watching people do their work. It is our job to eliminate barriers to their success. To look to areas where we can improve the business. It means looking for ways that customer service might be slipping, or where an employee might need a kind word or strong push.  
 
What do you see when you look? My father owns a few restaurants locally, Kid Shelleen’s and Klondike Kates. They are neighborhood landmarks. A college town meeting place for alumni and students. And the neighborhood pub. His leaders are taught in the business to start at the front door and look at the business with different eyes. What could be more Outside-In® (customer oriented)? Is there anything that could be done better to improve the customer experience? For the restaurant manager it means is the floor clean. Are menus wiped down and in the right spot. Are any customers trying to make frantic eye contact with a server. This list goes on and on. What is the equivalent for your business? Can you stand at your store front and see what needs improvement?
 
Truth be told I have been there myself. I have had employees work for me who would seek “translation services” from others in the company after leaving a long meeting with me. Nothing is  more embarrassing in the world as a leader than thinking you have had real impact and then finding out in fact you made things worse! We may only get 15 minutes to really energize and assist someone, and frankly that should be the goal. If I get 15 minutes a week to have a really incredible impact that carries an employee to the next week or next session, then that had better be the outcome. BUT, often times it is not. 
 
Not that the ability to talk is not important for a leader. Leaders must “encourage the heart” for staff. They can do this by defining  a business’s purpose. They create the future vision for the business.  They can bring to life the “Why” for the reason the business actually exists. This is where the ability to communicate can have the right impact on a company. Regular storytelling makes sense here.
 
How can roll up your sleeves and have real leadership impact?

• Shut up and Listen. Make sure you know the real problem.
• Get up from behind your desk and do it yourself. Lead by example.
• Focus on the details. Don’t micromanage, rather get closer to the business.
• Get closer to your business. Get off your pedestal and dig in to the work.
• Ask questions and meet with staff with consistency  and also when they least expect it.
• Teach others to plan their day and maximize what they achieve.

This list is certainly not all inclusive, and I would love your thoughts on how a leader can rollup their sleeves and make something happen in their business! What do you see when you stand at your store front and roll up your sleeves?