You are being watched every minute of every day. Sounds creepy, right? But it’s true. Every word that you say and every move that you make is being carefully followed. What’s more…you can’t escape it. Do you lead by example? Here are the facts.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, launching your career or known as the “big cheese” — your words and actions have a huge impact on your credibility and reputation. Plus, they’re influencing others in ways you’ve never imagined. Are you proud of the message that you send to others? If not, it might be time to reexamine your behavior.
People who look up to you watch every move that you make — so don’t let them down.
30 Ways to Lead by Example
Sometimes it’s clear as day that you’re sending people a message; other times, it may not be that obvious. Here are 30 ways that you can lead by example:
- Be the first to give rather than the first to take.
- Earn trust and respect rather than demanding it.
- Get in the game rather than watching from the sidelines.
- Think for yourself rather than acting like a parrot.
- Do your best rather than doing just enough to get by.
- Man up rather than ducking your responsibility.
- Think “we” rather than “me.”
- Lead by example rather than just talking a good game.
- Build people up rather than tearing them down.
- Confront poor behavior rather than turning a blind eye.
- Remain true to your values rather than blowing with the wind.
- Pull your own weight rather than asking others to do double duty.
- Run toward problems rather than away from them.
- Admit mistakes rather than casting blame.
- Offer solutions rather than just complaining.
- Follow your moral compass rather than asking to be shown the way.
- Go to the back of the line rather than cutting in front.
- Tell it like it is rather than beating around the bush.
- Build bridges rather than constructing walls.
- Raise your own hand rather than volunteering others.
- Keep an open mind rather than shutting the door.
- Do what you can rather than making excuses why you can’t.
- Leave your comfort zone rather than surrendering to your fears.
- Raise the bar rather than accepting mediocrity.
- Be strong-minded rather than quitting at the first sign of trouble.
- Better yourself rather than trying to change others.
- Honor your word rather than breaking your promise.
- Stand strong rather than bending to peer pressure.
- Listen to your conscience rather than selling your soul.
- Make a difference in others’ lives rather than enriching your own.
Wanted: Role Models –– It’s Time to Lead by Example
Your behavior defines who you are and what you stand for. It reveals your upbringing, reflects on the organization that you represent, and it paints a lasting impression — your reputation — that is as hard to shake as your shadow.
Do you abide by your own rules and standards? Is your handshake as binding as a contract? Can friends count on you in good times and bad? Do you treat people who can’t do something for you as well as you treat those who can? Would you be proud if your kids followed in your footsteps? If you can’t say yes to these questions, ask yourself why.
If you want to raise kids with strong moral character, strengthen your organization’s culture, or encourage citizens to be productive members of society, don’t look to change their behavior, examine your own. Ask yourself whether your actions are having a positive or negative impact on the people around you. Are you guiding them toward a righteous path or steering them down a dead end? You’re a role model. Act like one.
Do You Lead by Example?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
Reputation: You Can’t Run From Your Shadow
Can Money Buy Respect?
Live With Honor and Integrity
Moral Character Matters
A Promise Is a Promise
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Frank, your wisdom and writings are inspirations to all of us. Many thanks for the extraordinary work you do.
Thank you so much Bob. Your comment is especially meaningful because it’s coming from you — someone I admire and respect.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
The toughest role to be in as a servant leader. You get stepped on, stabbed behind, ice boxed, ignored and fired, all because of walking the talk.
However, I sleep well at night.
Hi Philip
I am closer to the end of my career than I am to the beginning. There were times when being a servant leader didn’t always pay off in the short-term. Please don’t be discouraged. I have always tried to live my life with honor and integrity. Based on my experience, living a good life comes back to you in untold ways. You’ll earn the trust and respect of your colleagues and you’ll never have to worry about defending your actions. Most importantly you’ll be able to face yourself in the mirror each morning knowing that that your path to success was the honorable one.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Thank you for your wise thirty ways to lead by example.
Compliments of the season
My pleasure Stanley. I’m so glad you like it.
Thanks for taking the time to write 🙂
Best,
Frank
I have been reading your articles and practicing them daily. Being a role model to many in my society your articles has helped me stand strong. Thank you for the kind of knowledge you offer. AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN.
Hi Zedekiah
Thank you for your kind words.
It’s wonderful that you’re a positive role model to many others. Good for you 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Enjoyed the contrasts of all the values, especially # 29.
Listening to one’s conscience always brings about something good. This is our moral compass, and it is making an attempt to guide us.
The opposite of it, ‘selling one’s soul’ indicates the value of the soul and the shortcomings of the type of conscience who so readily relinquishes it. (at whatever price)
What impact does our presence have on others? A positive or a negative one? As parents, as citizens, as colleagues, as leaders, as professionals, as friends?
What a frightening idea, that our presence could be a negative experience to others.
This is why benevolence is more important today, as it has always been, in any time in history.
Great question, Eula. “What impact does our presence have on others? A positive or a negative one?” Being a role model is a serious responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The fact is, every time you point someone in the right direction, you’re not only making a distinctive contribution to his or her life . . . you’re passing the torch to someone who’ll likely pay it forward. Although it’s very difficult to change the whole world, we can at least change the world around us.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Great post on such an important topic.
Indeed, our words and actions have an enormous impact on others as well as our credibility and reputation. As leaders, it’s critical that we are in tune with who we are and what we stand for. When we have this clarity, we can lead from this place which allows us to lead by example.
I appreciate the list of 30 ways we can lead by example and the ones that resonate must be kept top of mind.
As Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This represents what it means to lead by example.
Well said, De De Thank you 🙂
My hope is that the “list of 30” provides concrete things that people can do to lead by example.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank