As a CEO, company president or business owner, you may not give this much thought but you are always under the microscope.  Someone is always watching.  Observing your management style, how you treat customers and employees, how you dress, how long you stay at the office each day and much more. 

As a business person you need to project the image of a strong leader especially during these uncertain business times. Every action you take is being analyzed, even criticized, by someone.  And with the advent of social media on the internet there are more avenues today, than ever before, for people to make public comments about you or your company.

For example, during this economic downturn, if you are telling your employees that they need to work harder and raises are out of the question because the money isn’t there; then you go out and buy yourself a new expensive luxury company car, you’ve just lost all your credibility with your employees.  You can’t ask your vendors or suppliers for extended payment terms or reduction in costs and then take an extended vacation to the Bahamas.  You can’t lose your temper in front of your employees.  And you can’t enter your place of business without being dressed properly, appearing rested and most importantly, setting a positive tone about the company’s future.

As a CEO, president or business owner, you need to realize that every action you take is being watched by someone. Leadership is a heavy responsibility. It doesn’t start by telling people what to do but by showing them how to do it and setting an example of a leader they can respect, look up to and stand behind during hard economic times like we are experiencing.

As a CEO, president or business owner, who is always under the microscope: Be the leader.  Set the example for everyone around you.