When we draw a comparison to business leadership, leading from the front implies the form of leadership where the leaders have an in-depth understanding of their customers, are open to interacting with their customers, are happy to roll up their sleeves to understand the challenges being faced by the employees and act as a problem-solver for their team members. A leader who leads from the front is conscious that it is not a perfect world and things may not be hunky-dory all the time. In times of crisis, such leaders rise to the occasion and lead their team to deliver exceptional results. They are logical, practical and also do not shy away from appreciating their team members for the hard work.

It is not about micromanaging or taking control

Leading from the front is not about being a control freak and micro-managing team members. It does not imply a leadership style wherein a leader makes all the decisions for their team. It is also not about screaming at people or giving orders all the time. A leader who leads from the front is a great "people’s person" who can build a good rapport with individuals, is able to get their team members to deliver the best, and earns respect across the board. They are not the one who will demand respect or show that they hold a position of authority. They generally gain acceptance and respect quickly. Also, such a leader believes that they are responsible for their team’s successes and failures and hence, does not shy away from getting their  hands dirty.

One team- One vision

The beauty of a leader who leads from the front is that they are able to sell the vision of the brand and the team to their team members. The team members connect to the team mission and are passionate enough to put in their best so as to achieve it.

Such leaders are visionaries. They can think ahead, clearly lay out long term goals and define a focussed roadmap for success. They can also think deeply about the effect of their actions on the team, the customers or the community at large. Their vision empowers them to understand the psyche of their team members and inspire, engage, align and energise them at all times, so they are aligned to the organisation’s vision.

Celebrate victories and own up when there are mistakes

A leader who leads from the front is very different in the way they deal with successes and failures. They value the hard work put in by their team and believe that success is something that should be attributed to the team and celebrated together. They are also mature enough to understand that mistakes are bound to happen and believe in the mantra of learning from the mistakes and moving on. They encourages their team members to experiment and take calculated risks. They are of the firm opinion that every failure is just another step towards success. Even if the failure is because of one of their team members, they never single them out or insults them in public. Instead, they take it upon themself to help this team member and guide them so they can succeed again.

Stand up for the team

If given a choice, anyone will choose a leader who supports their team.  A supportive leader is the one who is available to talk, takes ownership in your success and ensures that you always feel you are not fighting the battles alone. He leads from the front and makes the team feel that he will always have their back.

Keeping a cool head in times of crisis

A good leader is the one who can keep a cool head in the most critical times. He understands that things can go south, and there could be bad days without any fault of anyone in specific. A good leader keeps their cool even in the worst of times. They are able to keep their emotions in check and focus on finding the solution to a problem. They don't indulge in name calling or passing the buck. Instead, they focuses on solving the issue at hand. 

Being humble

Leaders who lead from the front are generally very humble. Irrespective of their educational background or numerous success stories, they are the ones who are easily approachable. They are able to strike a chord with anyone. Also, they come across as non-judgemental and helpful. Their simple and humble conduct helps them build a close-knit team that can deliver exceptional results against all odds.

To conclude..

The big advantage that such leaders have is that they enjoy the admiration as well as loyalty of their team members. They are popular as team members look up to them for guidance and support. They have a loyal team that will be high on commitment and willing to go that extra mile to ensure that the leader’s flag is flying high. 

Leading from the front is easier said than done. It requires a lot of humility, knowledge, and a very level headed approach. There is no perfect example of such a leader but this is a skill that can definitely be improved over a period of time. The future definitely belongs to leaders who can lead from the front.

Source: https://reputationtoday.in/leading-from-the-front/