Leading By Example

Leaders know that everything they say or do (or dont say or do) sets an example for those they lead. Just as your children learn from the example you set in your family, your adult team members at work learn by your example, too.

Some leaders think of this as a burdenlike living in a glass house with no place to hide. Is this how you react to your power as a leader? Effective leaders really dont have (or need) a place to hideand dont waste time looking for one!

Being a leader is about being out there, every minute, everywhere. It is how you act when you have to stand in a long line at the grocery store, when youre involved in a car accident, or when you believe someone has treated you unfairly.

Leadership is about living a totally visible lifehaving no secrets, no closets that no one should look in, and being clear that while there are lots of people looking to you for guidance, there are others who are watching and just waiting for you to fall flat on your face. Why? Because then they feel justified to not take on leadership themselvesSee what happened to Tom in that meeting? I dont ever want that to happen to me!

Leaders who know and accept that they are living examples for others enjoy a life full of freedom. Imagine what your life would be like if you had no secrets? Nothing to hide about yourself? No lies to cover up? No relationships that are incomplete? No undelivered communications? Rather than carrying around a lot of anxiety about these things, you could feel light, complete, and free to create!

Leadership is all about couragecourage to live as an example for othersout in the open, handling whatever comes your way with power and grace. This year is the bicentennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark journey across the unexplored new American lands. Jack Uldrich, in his book, INTO THE UNKNOWN: Leadership Lessons from Lewis and Clarks Daring Westward Expedition, celebrates the leadership qualities these young men showed while leading their team of 31 men on the perilous journey westward into the unknown. Uldrich points out that:

  • Lewis and Clark led by example. They never spoke about developing "team spirit." It is just something they didstarting with their own example. They gave up comfortable lives, prepared diligently, shared leadership, selected only the best personnel, and did scores of other, smaller things that demonstrated they were absolutely committed to the mission.

  • Lewis and Clark were ordered to map, study, and describe the region, as well as establish diplomatic relations with the Indians. Yet, in spite of these significant responsibilities, the captains were not above getting out of the boat and pushing it upriver, or "swinging their pack" to shoulder their share of the daily burden.

  • Lewis and Clark possessed enough confidence in their own judgment to override everyone elses opinion and make the correct decision at a critical fork in the river. Yet, they had enough respect for their team to allow every memberincluding Sacagawea (a Native American woman) and York (a black man) to vote on the location of their winter camp. [Equality was not the norm in 1804-05.]

  • Lewis and Clark demonstrated the internal fortitude to listen to their men voice concerns when confronted with the prospect of starvation, but never once considered turning backand only displayed the most invincible optimism.

  • Lewis and Clark prepared meticulously and only ran out of three items (trading beads, tobacco, and whiskey). Yet, when times got tough, the captains literally traded the jackets off their back for a canoe and ordered their men to barter their shirt buttons for food.

  • Lewis and Clark started with the right mind-set. From the beginning, Lewis and Clark visualized success. To both men, the world was full of possibilities and opportunities.

  • Lewis and Clark demonstrated patience. Even when it meant delaying the start of their trip by a full month, the captains refused to be rushed into bad decisions.

  • Lewis and Clark paid the greatest attention to their daily surroundings, including penning a 1,000-word description of the magpie. Yet, the captains never lost sight of the "big picture" or the real goal:to find the most navigable all-water route to the Pacific and report back to President Jefferson.

What kind of leader are you? Are you the Meriweather Lewis or the William Clark of your team? Are you living courageously and openly? What are you waiting for?

Clay S. Nelson, the founder of Consulting Services Network LLC, and his team are committed to putting fun, family and financial freedom into everyones business and personallives. With over two decades of experience coaching business leaders in creating life balance, building teams, and writing plans, their programs are designed to alter the culturesof companies and families. They make a powerful and lasting difference with each person they meet, every group they speak with, and with every client they serve.

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