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In today’s ever increasingly tense society, it is important to remember that we need strong and viable leaders now more than ever. It is also important to remember that these leaders can come in many, many forms. Not only does leadership manifest in the “take charge & make hard decisions” personality type, but it also comes in the form of leading by example.
If there’s anything I’ve learned in the almost quarter decade I’ve been on this earth, it is that leadership is recognized and given by followers, not commanded by an individual in a place of power. And I’ve found that the best leaders don’t sell themselves as leaders; they believe to be humble and more often than not are “just doing what they think is right”. It’s that sense of humility that I, as well as others, respect.
I was told many times that when you actively embody a particular value (whether it be honesty, integrity, adventure) your actions, thoughts, and overall demeanor tend to reflect that thing.
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When you do what you know is the right thing to do, and do with a humble presence; people will recognize what you’re doing differently. They will realize, your followers, that you are doing the right thing and will end up mimicking your behaviors to find success.
Let me give an example: Back in my early teen years, I was a part of an internationally touring boy choir. I was one of the older boys in our group of 34 ranging from eight up to thirteen years old (I was twelve.) I realized that while I needed to gently remind the younger gentlemen to take care of business at times, I found it to be much more effective to just do the right things the right way. Whether it be proper behavior in a public setting, cleaning up after ourselves. That sort of thing.
And while I understand that there are dozens of factors that may have influenced the impressionable minds of these young men, I know that making them better people is correlated by them looking up to me as a leader by example.
And this doesn’t have to be just about acting in the right way, this can also just be about expressing positive values. I was told many times that when you actively embody a particular value (whether it be honesty, integrity, adventure) your actions, thoughts, and overall demeanor tend to reflect that thing.
So what is the importance of leading by example? Two reasons.
First, it is something everyone can do. Introvert, extrovert, male, female, whatever. Everyone can be an example to someone else and do the right thing or be the right person at any given moment.
Second, leading by example is incredibly effective. Whether you’re recognized for your actions or not, being conscious of what you did and how you felt about it does wonders for your self-esteem and is nothing but good karma. Helping others and giving back is one of the most satisfying and rewarding things in the world. People are always looking for an example to follow, and being that example paves the way for others to become great as well.
So moving forward, I suggest to you to be aware of your actions in the context of your setting. Be the person that you would like to follow. Do and say things, whether in private or public, that you know will put you on the right path towards success or bring good vibes to someone else’s day.
As an old mentor once said to me “Always remember who you are, where you’re at, and what you’re doing”. That’s been a mantra of my life, and it has served me well.
Joe Kleckner has two major passions: motivation and social media. These two forces are driven by his will to improve the quality of lives of those around him. He resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the space. Follow Joe on Twitter.
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Photo: GettyImages