It was Albert Schweitzer who said, “Leadership is example.”
In my workshops, I like to ask the audience, “How many of you have children at home?” Then I say, “Look at these hands…these are brain-damaged people.” (that always gets a good laugh)
Those of you who are parents. Do kids do what’s taught or is your example more important? We all know that your example as a parent is a thousand times more important than what you say or teach.
Parents who exemplify integrity in their personal affairs produce kids who value honesty.
Parents who listen produce kids who are compassionate towards others.
Parents who work hard produce children with a solid work ethic.
This does not mean that children are programmable computers…there’s a ghost in the machine…individual free will.
But the example we model is profoundly important.
One of my mentors was trying to instill in his boys, the importance of keeping your promises.
(please pardon that I’m relating this from memory and may not have all the details exactly right)
He was scheduled to speak at a large banquet in downtown Dallas in the evening…let’s say at 7 PM. He was headed out the door of his house at 6 PM in his formal tuxedo with his speech in hand.
As he was headed out the door, his son, Bill, said to him, “Dad you promised me that you would fix my bicycle tire today .”
Here was the moment of truth… was he going to walk the walk when it came to keeping his promises? Was he going to be the example his son needed at that moment?
Several thousand people were looking forward to his speech at 7 PM. Fixing the tire meant he was going to be late for the speaking engagement.
Looking at the tears in his son’s eyes, my mentor went back into the house, took off his tuxedo, put on his work clothes went out to the garage, and with his son watching repaired the bicycle tire.
When he walked into the auditorium to deliver his speech (late), I imagine there was a vast silence as he made his way to the podium. Probably stares of disappointment and disapproval looked up from the audience.
He stepped to the podium and said these words. “I’d like to talk to you tonight about keeping your promises. “ There was not a dry eye in the house as he ended the speech relating the story of Bill’s bicycle tire repair.
Leaders set the example. They know employees do what’s caught… not what’s taught.