I'd rather see a sermon, than hear one any day.
I'd rather you would walk with me, than merely
show the way.
The eye is a better pupil, and more willing than
the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always
clear.
And best of all the preachers, are the men who
live their creeds.
For to see good put in action is what everybody
needs.
I soon can learn to do it, if you'll let me see
it done.
I can see your hands in action, but your tongue
too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be very fine
and true.
But I'd rather get my lesson observing what you
do.
For I may not understand you and the high advice
you give.
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and
how you live.
When you choose to become a team leader, supervisor, manager,
director, or CEO, you assume a tremendous responsibility.
People follow people -- and as the one in charge,
they are following you. As the one in charge, you
lead by what you do. You don't get to pick and choose
what attitudes or behaviors you want to count because
everything counts! Everything you do and
say is being watched and evaluated. The question
is, "What are they seeing?"
There are two truths about leadership: You are always
leading and everything you do counts.
For instance, suppose you just left a stressful meeting with
your boss. As you walk toward your office, one of
your best employees passes you in the hall. You
have a lot on your mind and as a result you don't
see him, or even acknowledge him.
The employee perceives that you ignored him -- you
wouldn't speak to him or even look at him. He then
begins to worry about his job. While you're lying
in bed worrying about the results of the meeting
with your boss, one of your best employees is lying
awake worrying about his job!
The Enemies of Leading by Example (from
Leading To Ethics
- Haziness
- Acting, and reacting, without thinking.
- Speed
- The motivation to cut corners in response to
the "warp speed" of business.
- Greed
- The drive to acquire or possess more and more
in one's self-interest.
- Laziness
- Taking the path of least effort and resistance.
It's often easy to forget that "everything counts."
There are numerous examples of people whose careers
took a nose dive because of an integrity mistake.
They may have forgotten that people were watching,
or maybe they thought the mistake was so minor it
really didn't matter. But irregardless, as a leader
you must remember that "everything counts!" |
