Your Team Mirrors You — For Better or Worse

Why is modeling the way the only way as a leader?

Because humans are wired for coherence, not commands.

Not convinced?

Let me produce some evidence.

Back in 1961, psychologist Albert Bandura conducted a groundbreaking experiment that forever changed how we understand learning and behavior.

He showed that children don’t just learn by direct rewards or punishments.

Instead, they learn by watching others.

In the famous Bobo Doll experiment, kids watched adults either act aggressively toward an inflatable clown doll or play quietly. The kids who saw aggression were much more likely to imitate that behavior – hitting, kicking, even yelling at the doll while those who didn’t see aggression were calm and gentle.

This experiment highlighted the power of observational learning, showing that what we model as leaders, parents, or colleagues deeply influences how others behave.

Why does this matter for leaders?

Because your team tends to do what you do, not what you say. Our actions speak louder and teach more than words ever could.

Still not convinced?

Just compare yourself to the manager you’ve been working with for the past two years – you will understand !