EXAMPLE!
If I were asked to describe Leadership in a single word, it would be example. I have been seriously studying this subject of leadership for many years now. In that time, I have read hundreds of books, attended hundreds of seminars and I follow the teachings of many of the world’s foremost authorities on the subject. Now many of the greatest teachers of the subject have their own interpretation of Leadership and their own suggestions on how to truly bring leadership into your life, however, it has become clear that if we were going to squeeze the entire subject into one small box, it would be labelled Example.
In past articles we have looked closely at the fact that Leaders must be students, that a main focus should be the enhancement of one’s character, that the fool worries more about reputation, the importance of your physical being being healthy and fit, the importance of credibility and many more subjects. If one were to ask the question “why development leadership?”, the answer would be in order to set the right example.
In Kevin Hall’s book Aspire, he shows one of the origins of the word Leader in 2 parts, “Lea (path) der(finder)”. a leader is a pathfinder. In my book Being The Change, I studied 7 of the world’s greatest leaders (in my opinion): Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, John F Kennedy and Pierre Trudeau. In all of my research, it has become clear that the greatness that each of these leaders achieved was directly tied to the fact that each had significant influence from mentors. In fact, in the book Snowball, you will read that Warren Buffett at a very early age hunted his mentor down by traveling to NY, stalking the building where he worked, gaining an audience, working for him and building trust.
I learned clearly in this story that Buffett’s relationship with his mentor was crucial in his life, but what did the mentor actually do? Well there is a great deal of advice, counsel, suggestion, experience sharing in any good mentoring relationship, the secret is Example!
In Joel Osteen’s book Becoming a Better You, he provides very simple understanding and teaching about how to become a better person and why to become a better person. What I admire most about this book though is the fact that Joel starts with how you become who you are. I read this book at the perfect time in my life, when my own leadership and personal mastery journey was starting. Joel explained that heredity has a lot to do with who you are. Your parents have had more of an impact on you then you may realize. As I have studied, it has become clear to me that who we are is most impacted by our Experience and our Environment (the 2 E’s) & most of that takes place in our early years. Again, it is the example set by our parents.
If we look at any great Leadership learning community, we will inevitably see more strong examples of the power of example. Most leadership based communities begin with a primary leader, a visionary who starts the process. As we see that community growing, we will note that other leaders who join the community develop the same mannerisms, habits, speaking styles, even past times. Again demonstrating the power of example. A friend & guide in my life, Orrin Woodward is a perfect example. Orrin is building a fantastic community with his partners. If you were to take a close look, you will notice similar ideas on Faith, Family, Finance, Following, Fitness, Freedom, Friends & Fun shared by all of the key stakeholders in that community. Again the genesis of this common stance on key issues spawns from Example.
Bottom line.
It has become very clear to me that if one desires to live a prosper0us life and enjoy all of the benefits of leading others then it must start with example. Example must start with a self examination and a decision to life an excellent life. Once you have made the decision to “Live Intentionally for Excellence (L.I.F.E)” (credit to Orrin, Chris and the men for that acronym), then it is as simple as finding the right example to follow.
If one is attempting to create a community where others follow with a specific purpose, then the realization that must be made that the leader needs to provide the most stunning example to follow. This example must include a proverbial internal and external “cleaning of the clock”. It is believed that one’s specific focus on their health & fitness, their character, their humility, their attitude, their knowledge, their action and many other pieces are all essential elements.
I have found clearly that the more I focus on being in the “best shape” in my body, mind & spirit the more people want to associate with me and join our community.
If you are aspiring to be a leader in an area of your life then understand that it must start with you being the best you can be. Personal Mastery!
Why?
Example.
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