As a leader, you set the tone for your team through your actions, not just your words. People observe how you navigate challenges, approach growth, and manage your relationships. To create a high-performing and sustainable team, you must consciously role model the behaviours that drive success. 

The question is, what does this actually look like in practice? 

1. Consistency in Accountability and Performance 

Balancing accountability with care for your team is essential to fostering both trust and high standards. It’s about setting clear expectations and having honest conversations when those expectations aren’t met. As a leader, you need to consistently address performance issues, but in a way that shows care for the individual. When your team sees you tackle challenges head-on with respect and empathy, they’ll follow suit. 

Be clear about goals and expectations but ensure the conversation is framed around growth rather than just critique. 

2. Embody Curiosity and Lifelong Learning 

Leadership is not about knowing all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions. When leaders remain curious, they open the door to innovation and growth. It’s not just about driving results but also fostering an environment where learning is prioritised. Your team will feel empowered to explore new ideas and challenge the status quo if you lead with curiosity and openness. 

Shift your language from “Why aren’t we hitting these targets?” to “How can we better align our strategy to reach our goals?”—this not only encourages solutions but fosters a collaborative spirit. 

3. Living Your Culture: Transparency and Authenticity 

High-performing teams are built on trust, and trust comes from transparency. Leaders who live and breathe the organisational culture—through their actions, decision-making processes, and communication—build stronger, more connected teams. This goes beyond the occasional team meeting or email update. It’s about consistently showing up authentically, sharing not just successes but also challenges. 

Your team will feel more connected and willing to engage if they see you being transparent about both organisational goals and the journey to get there. This openness encourages the same level of accountability and commitment across the board. 

4. Emotional Intelligence and Wellbeing 

Leaders who prioritise mental health and wellbeing, both their own and that of their teams, are laying the groundwork for long-term performance. Emotional intelligence—understanding and managing both your own emotions and those of your team—is a cornerstone of sustainable success. 

Leaders who are aware of the importance of personal and team wellbeing actively contribute to a more supportive work environment. This helps prevent burnout, fosters resilience, and creates a culture where people can perform at their best over the long term. When you openly prioritise wellbeing, you normalise the conversation for your team, allowing them to feel safe in doing the same. 

5. Building Strong Interpersonal Relationships 

High-performing teams are about more than just getting the work done; they thrive on meaningful relationships. As a leader, you set the tone for how those relationships are built. Creating moments of connection and fostering a culture of open, honest dialogue are essential to the overall wellbeing of the team. It’s not enough to focus solely on professional outcomes—interpersonal connections create loyalty, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. 

Be intentional about developing these relationships, and your team will follow your lead, creating an environment where people genuinely care about each other’s success. 

Leading by Example 

Your team looks to you for guidance not just in what you say, but in what you do. Every day, you’re role modelling the behaviours that either build or erode trust, innovation, and sustainability within your organisation. By fostering accountability, curiosity, transparency, wellbeing, and strong interpersonal relationships, you’ll create the conditions for a high-performing, sustainable team—one that thrives both in the short term and for years to come. 

The key takeaway? Be the leader who not only talks about these values but actively lives them. When your actions align with the behaviours you expect from your team, they’ll be inspired to step up, grow, and contribute to a culture of high performance that’s built to last.