Example is the best precept - Aesop
I've been a leader of people for many years across various roles; I believe some are built for it, have natural attributes that lean them towards leadership, and others are followers. All good leaders will be able to learn from others, evaluate good and bad examples, and apply that knowledge to becoming a better leader. This new series is designed to expose great quotes by various leaders and to investigate how they may relate or apply to myself or others. original im src
This week's leadership quote
Example is the best precept.
Some may disagree with me however, I believe society is bombarded with bad examples these days and social media, the media in general, are to blame. Sure, it's the individual's choice to take the example on board or not however with such things forced upon society in so many insidious ways it's difficult not to be influenced...and so, people are influenced.
In my many years as a leader I've striven to lead by example and, despite some few cases in which I probably didn't do my best, I believe I've done a reasonable job at doing so. I don't just mean in my work-roles but as a partner, brother, friend, manager, and general citizen of this big blue and green planet we live on. But leading by example doesn't mean that example is always a good one and, referring back to the social media comment above, there are many following the bad examples of others.
I agree with our wise old and extremely ancient friend Aesop that example is indeed the best precept which generally means rule, commandment or order. But the words good or bad need to be considered when one thinks of the word example.
As a leader examples of ownership, work-ethic, diligence and discipline can have a massively positive effect upon those he or she leads; these are good examples and, for those being led, seeing those attributes in their leader can be inspirational. I name just a few attributes of the many a good leader must display but you get the point I think. These are examples of good examples to set.
But as I wrote above, bad examples happen and people follow them. I don't think I need to give any examples of such things, you're all adults and can think of some I'm sure.
As a leader it's critically important to set good examples however, unfortunately, many do not. I don't just mean a leader in the military, workplace, on the sporting field, parents, friends, teachers or in social groups of course; I mean corporations, organisations and governments as well. Corruption in those last few examples is rife. Consider a charity organisation for instance. Many only send through five to ten cents in the dollar of funds collected to those they are raising funds for preferring to keep the rest for "operational costs" which means lining their own pockets usually - This isn't a very good example to be setting for the rest of us don't you think? I wonder how many people have said, well if they do it, why shouldn't I?
Human beings are impressionable and reasonably easily influenced; they follow along like lemmings for...I don't know, the fear of missing out on something or being seen as different? That's why setting examples can be so powerful and here I mean the good or the bad. Taking examples from those displaying positive, wholesome and constructive behaviours is fantastic...but the opposite happens also and that's causing the breakdown of society in my opinion.
If you have any thoughts on this leadership quote, experiences of your own, or questions please feel free to comment below.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
I don't think I am a very good leader. My worker might argue with that fact, but I just don't feel like I was really cut out for it. It is just part of the job at this point you might say. I've been a department of 1 for so long that it is easy to fall back into old habits.
So many people give me the, not a leader line in response to these posts, but I bet, given some research, I could find many ways in which they actually do lead.
Not all leaders ride a horse waving a sabre above their head whilst galloping headlong at the enemy in the vanguard of a cavalry charge with bannermen to either side and trumpets blaring.
Some just apply techniques to get the best out of those around them: Workers, friends and family, themselves. They also think about their actions, cause and effect, and seek to improve those so that they are better able to push forward to solutions, outcomes and ultimate success in whatever they set out to do. I'd say, you probably do these things in some manner.
People confuse the term leader with simply doing what's required to move a thing forward to completion, resolution or a better than before state.
Leading a good life is leading, in my humble opinion.
Very wise and profound. I'd like to think that I am doing my best to live a good life. You just need to convince all the people at work who think I am an asshole for me ;)
Haha, those people have no clue, only you do. A good life is subjective I guess. As long as it's not at someone else's expense and no one is being hurt, I say proceed regardless.
Yes, it is very subjective. I think we all find our own happiness different ways and if you can hold that for a decent amount of time, good for you.
This is very wisely said indeed.
I couldn't agree more with your post - not because I am a lemming but because I have for many years held the same viewpoint. The example I often like to use is the downfall of music. Many musicians these days that make it big don't have any lyrical genius at their disposal, it's all about the money, babes and bling...and people eat it up. It's sad and quite pathetic.
There are so many people that are good examples and what I've noticed recently is that anyone that is articulate that makes a good argument simply gets labelled and outcast because they aren't going with the herd. The herd mentality is strong with lemmings and it is unfortunately going to lead a large portion of the population off a cliff face.
It isn't easy being a leader these days and staying true to the straight and narrow and there is more and more pressure from the media in all forms to simply follow the crowd. I don't think it's going to end well, but it does make me want to shout at idiots who don't actually stop to evaluate what they are following just for the sake of not being a part of the herd. I guess it's exactly that that sets leaders apart from the followers - articulating, dissecting and thinking.
Let's hope that things can be turned around, if not, I really do think that the downfall of society is going to just continue with increased momentum.
This made me smile. (The, not a lemming part.)
Indeed, soulless, manufactured rubbish mostly. A good example for sure.
Many are heading towards that cliff and most will go over, it is the way of it. Maybe that's what's required though, a mass self-culling.
Also yes, follow the crowd, be mediocre and don't set out to achieve any more than the minimum.
Things can turn around. They can. But I'm pretty sure it won't...well, not until after the fall.
Well it's not going to be pretty to watch it happen, the best we can do is make changes where we can to maybe convince people to open their eyes and ears and see/hear things for what they really are.
Yep, prepare for the worst so when it happens it's not as impactful as it would be with no preparation.
-A good leader is a humble servant and follower too, but strict and fair in following and implementing the rules and regulations of his community. He Must know how to listen to his people, be calm, and be ready to accept and respect the suggestions and opinions of others. Has a word of honor and possesses a kind heart, is honest, trustworthy, and patient. He should be just and firm in making any decisions. With strong discretion in times of emergencies and unexpected circumstances. But also know how to delegate responsibilities to his subordinates. A good leader should boost the confidence of others..and be more willing to build strong leaders too. And most of all..a God-fearing one! Thank you for sharing this good article. Have a blessed evening.✨
I agree with this, although, I've never really understood the god-fearing comment.
I'm not religious, but I wonder about a "god" who would require followers/worshipers to live in fear. That doesn't sound like a very good god and one I'd like much to do with.
-If a leader is God-fearing He will always choose to do things with a heart..because He is serving God above all. He will always choose to do what is good in the eyes of God, and because of that, his community will surely expect a leader full of compassion, humility, respect, kindness, and righteousness! Have a blessed morning Sir!-
Most leaders these days are bad influences and not suitable to be emulated. Their lifestyle is "do as I say and not as I do".
A leader is meant to be of a great service to followers but unfortunately leaders these days abuse their position in several ways.
There are many good leaders out there, but probably not so much in politics which is, I guess, what your comment is about. Most are driven by greed or ego. Political leaders tend not to be very good at leading, although that depends on perspective also I suppose.
I guess all we can do is be a good leader for those who depend on us, family, friends and self and hope that's enough.
That's the downside of being "followers" for too long. People tend to lose their inherent quality of "choice." Yes, I believe everyone has that inherent quality, which we either completely lose, or make it too dormant when we stay follower for too long.
While it is true that not everyone is a leader, the rest do need to speak up from time to time and challenge their leaders.
Everyone is their own leader, or so I believe...But yes I agree, people should stand up for what they believe in to those who set policy.
Most of my instructors are often telling us to lead by example. If you are just simply enforcing rules and regulations but not following it yourself, you'll be looking like a joke in front of your people. It's still where I want to improve on my part, too.
This is excellent advice to give and follow, and yes for sure looking like a joke is the by-product of failing to do so.
well I am not much of a leader but I think I have some qualifications to become one cause I learn from my other mistakes to improve myself
This is excellent and I wish you all the best with it.
you to my friend but it will take a lot of time and effort so keep it up
this will change one's thinking for life time.
That's a good thing don't you think? I mean, learning something new and applying the lesson to the betterment of ones future?
Thanks for commenting.
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Thank you for sharing this.
A leader should also be a good follower. I am more amazed by a person who leads people with such inspiration that will make them better people. A leader should not only a person to command but rather, be a person who inspires.
Good leadership will create a great working environment.
I don't disagree with you, but leaders are leaders for a reason, not followers. It is true that they must have many varied attributes and understanding those whom they lead is one such thing.
For people who report or reported into you in the past do you find it difficult to manage situations that aren't going well?
I.e. if mistakes ultimately reflect badly on the department I am in I find it difficult not to be too involved in overseeing it when it's not strictly my job.
Did you fall into management type situations naturally or did you pursue it and do training etc to get better outcomes in the work place? Hybrid I guess
I always sought to focus on the problem, not the person. I worked to empower those who reported to me and asked them to bring me solutions rather than problems. It's called, providing support without removing responsibility.
If those operators felt they had a stake, valued input that would be listened to, and were made to feel the way forward was in their control to some degree they were more likely to own deploy it and own the solution. I was big on ownership, responsibility and discipline. Of course, as my job function changed I had to temper that somewhat and make it more office-suitable.
That's called taking ownership and I used to foster it. I still do. Of course, there's a right way to do this, and a wrong way, and it's important for the individual who does so to have the training, (support) from the immediate leader, to ensure it's not perceived as bullying or lording over others which can lead to serious ramifications for that individual, the team, the leader and overall productivity or effectiveness. Again, this is subjective and care needs to be taken to handle it commensurate to the needs/parameters of the situation/workplace.
As a child I was one that seemed always to take responsibility. I was terribly racially victimised from the age of five and it taught me about ownership and the need to do things better than others; it also taught me a lot about human beings, hate, loneliness, violence, thinking things through, relationship-building and destruction, drawing lines beneath people and situations and moving on plus many other things. I worked hard at being me and life in general because I had to; I had a high operational tempo although at the time I didn't call it that. I guess I built on that as I grew older.
In my twenties my attributes were well on the way to becoming valuable skills and this helped me progress in my career, move upward through the chain. I was trained, honed and developed professionally and I worked tirelessly to augment that with my own efforts; I was a sponge for knowledge, understanding and wisdom that I could better operate. I also had/have a never quit attitude so sought continual improvement. No one drove me harder than I did myself, and it's still that way. Life unfolded and things progressed as they do and now...here I am.
I hope that answers your questions. I guess it's difficult to truly understand what I'm saying as you don't know all the details, the work environments I was operating in and how they were structured. I guess though, in simplistic terms, I believe leadership is in my make-up, part of me, and because of that I pursued more knowledge to make me better at it; those I led deserved no less than my best effort because I expected the same from them.