"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

-John Quincy Adams

Great leaders have the ability to drive meaningful change within their organizations, as well as their respective teams and communities. While leadership approaches may vary from one leader to the next, those who lead with vision often share key traits and follow strategic practices that lead to positive outcomes. The presence of a solid leadership vision establishes clear direction, which inspires people to act while building resilience against challenges. Visionary leaders who align their decisions with a clear purpose create lasting influence while cultivating a culture that supports growth and innovation.

The Five Practices of Leadership

Kouzes and Posner are renowned leadership experts known for their influential work in leadership development. They outlined five practices of exemplary leadership in their bookThe Leadership Challenge. These practices are fundamental to effective leadership and widely used in leadership training programs. Here are the Five Practices of Leadership according to Kouzes and Posner:

1. Model the Way

2. Inspire a Shared Vision

3. Challenge the Process

4. Enable Others to Act

5. Recognize and Celebrate (Encourage the Heart)

In this article we will focus on 1. Model the Way. Great leaders set an example through their actions. They clarify their values and principles and then live by them. By aligning their actions with shared values, leaders earn credibility and gain the trust and respect of their team members.

What Does “Model the Way” Mean in Practical Terms?

Modeling the way is about the kind of example you set for others as a leader. In order to set a good example and effectively Model the Way, leaders must first understand who they are. What do they believe in? What are their values? How do they communicate? And perhaps most importantly, how do their actions align with their principles and how do they inspire others to follow their lead?

As part of this initial introspection, leaders should:

• Clarify their personal values and beliefs.
• Identify ways they can align actions with personal values and beliefs.

Next, leaders who want to Model the Way should:

• Articulate their values and principles to others.
• Build consensus around a common set of values.
• Make decisions consistent with their values, which displays integrity and authenticity.
• Be transparent in their communication.
• Share their thought processes around decisions and explain how they align with the organization's values and goals.

In practice, leaders who Model the Way:

• Set an example by demonstrating the behavior they expect from others.

• Show commitment, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
• Ask for feedback on how their actions affect other people’s performance.
• Make sure that everyone follows the agreed-upon principles and standards.
• Search for common ground between personal values and the values of the organization and their colleagues.
• Lead authentically by living their personal beliefs and values.
• Follow through on promises and commitments.

How Do You Know If You’re Modeling the Way?

Here are some signs that your efforts to Model the Way are working:

• You have become more comfortable acknowledging and having discussions about ideological differences and finding common ground with those you may not agree with.
• You are letting your values drive your interactions and decisions.
• Your colleagues and employees are comfortable giving you honest feedback, sharing their concerns, and asking questions.
• The organization is behaving more cohesively as employees align around shared organizational values.

Organizations thrive when everyone is committed and engaged. By modeling the way, you become an example of the kind of values you want to foster. Your authenticity will also inspire others within the organization to be the best version of themselves.

Strengthen Your Leadership by Modeling the Way

The Heffelfinger Company cultivates leaders and aligns teams to drive sustainable, scalable business results. By embracing the Model the Way practice, leaders create a strong foundation of trust, credibility, and shared purpose within their organizations. When leaders consistently align their actions with their values, they inspire confidence, motivate their teams, and foster a culture of accountability and excellence.

Contact us for a FREE Values Exploration Conversation or to learn more about the LPI: Leadership Practices Inventory (Self or 360 version). Discover how you or your team can implement Practice 1 – Model the Way and elevate your leadership impact today.