Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Example

Example: A pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided.

We as leaders are the example, period.  We can never allow ourselves to have the do as I say not as I do attitude as a leader.   Leaders are the people that subordinates can look to when they get confused as to what they should do next.  The leader should always set an example for people to want to follow.  The last part of the definition says it can be a pattern or model to be avoided also.  We never want to be the example of what not to do.  This is not a good “example” of a leader and in my opinion is not a leader.
My favorite leaders were not the ones that I got along with the most or the ones that treated me with the most respect but were the ones that I could always count on being an example to follow whether or not we got along.  If I liked the person or not didn’t matter, because in the end I would always have more respect for somebody that was a good example of a leader.  In the military those would be the people who always looked like a professional, would get to work early, get the job done, go above and beyond as far as doing more than what was expected of them on duty and volunteering off duty and was a person that would give you a responsible professional answer when posed with questions regarding work.  

As leaders that set the example we can never have a bad day in the eyes of the people we’re leading.  Our subordinates cannot see us with an attitude that doesn’t represent what we’re representing.  What I mean by this is, if I’m in ministry I can’t have the people that look to me for spiritual advice see me doing something that would cause them to question my position as a minister or Pastor.   If in the military and it takes shining your boots then shine your boots.  I was never the best at this and my career suffered for it.  I’ve learned that leaders are never the exception to the rule.  We are the rule.  We must maintain that appearance.  As I said people must be able to look at us when they are unsure as to what is expected of them.  Actions speak louder than words.  So our actions must represent a standard of excellence to the degree that everybody knows when they come to our organization we are the pattern or model that they imitate instead of avoid.