Lead by example
Leading by example is the best way to shape culture: instead of telling people how to behave, be the person you want your team members to be. It sounds easy in theory, but it's hard in practice.
On the one hand, leading by example does wonders because it's self-reproducing. People have the tendency to emulate the behaviour of those they trust. If people trust you as a leader, you can shape the culture of your team just by doing what you think is right.
On the other hand, people tend to emulate your mistakes, too. Whatever you do is seen as acceptable behaviour by default. So correcting the course can get hard: if you didn't live up to your own values, why do you expect others to do better than you?
It's a challenge with a surprisingly simple solution: be honest and open about your own mistakes. Being vulnerable has a positive effect on the entire team. By admitting your mistakes in public, you are saying:
- It's OK to make mistakes.
- You must do better.
- So must everyone else.
By being vulnerable you show your team the best response at times of crisis. You are leading by example.
Leading by example means you continuously rely on your values and put them into practice. While a good overlap between your personal values and the "professional" values of your teams is necessary, it wouldn't be realistic to expect a perfect match between your personal values and the professional values of your organisation. At times, it can be stressful to deal with the difference, so I suggest you document the values you stand by as a team. A bulleted list with five or six values is enough. You can think of this exercise as writing a concise essay about "what we stand by at this company".