Leadership by example is something that we see, rather than hear. Think Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. – two people who inspired movements that changed the history not only of their countries but also of the world. While both are known for their profound insights, they are best remembered by the way they lived peaceful and unassuming lives even when they were right smack in the middle of heavy conflict. What made these leaders stand out and why do they continue to inspire new leaders decades after they have passed on?

Nothing is so potent as the silent influence of a good example ~James KentThis is how famous American legal scholar James Kent, author of Commentaries on American Law, described the simple power of leadership by example. History is filled with illustrious people who continue to inspire leadership development not so much by what they said but by how their whole lives embodied their philosophies.

Teaching Beyond Preaching

Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are two prime examples of great communicators. Quite possibly, they are two of the most eloquent people in world history. Like them, most modern corporate leaders are excellent communicators. However, great leaders do more than just communicate. They teach what they preach.

Preaching is inspiring but a good speech has a very short life. Employees may feel cheery after your short pep talk about serving clients with a happy smile. However, if you growl at the first person that knocks on your office door, do not be surprised if you get complaints about your staff being rude.

If you spend money on team building training or leadership development to create trust and confidence among employees and yet don’t trust your team enough to delegate important projects, you are simply wasting your organization’s budget and your team’s time.

A good leader is a great communicator, not just in words but also, most importantly, in deeds. When you walk the talk, people are more inclined to believe you and follow your example.

Genuine Passion and Determination

To say that Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. had passion would be an understatement.

Both leaders spent their life organizing the masses and fighting for reforms using non-violent means. It would have been easy to give in to the pressure of the times and use arms to force their ideas especially when they began to take on a large following. However, both remained steadfast in how they wanted to achieve change and they succeeded.

Passion stems from a genuine love for what you are doing. It is not something you can fake or feign. When you believe strongly in something, your actions will bear you out. When you ask your employees watch their expenditures to ensure corporate fiscal responsibility, it means you are prepared to take the first cut yourself.

Cultivating Leadership By Example

Leading by example is a powerful leadership philosophy because you are able to communicate messages more vividly through actions. It takes attitude and character to walk the talk. For information on how a leadership training company can help you develop these leadership skills and take your career to the next level, give us a call today, or fill out the form below.