leading by example not by word alone

The age old wisdom from parents saying "Do as I say, not as I do," is one of the worst demands ever requested.

A good leader does not only state what should be done. A good leader leads by example. Hypocritical behavior causes anguish amongst the followers and they feel like they are being betrayed or lead astray.

A good leader performs actions to the best of their ability so that their followers will feel motivated to also give one hundred percent. Leading by example not only gets the most out of people, but it also can create good leaders in the future.

If a follower sees how much his peers respect the leader for performing his actions so well, his desire will be to also achieve that level of respect. In most cases, this person will note that the leader did not achieve this by cheating the system but by giving it all he has.

So the follower will also give it all that he has so that some day he, too, will be a leader that is well respected. Leading by example works in all walks of life, from sports to the military to politics to just a neighborhood group of friends. If there is not a good leader leading by example, then that group is ultimately destined for failure.