It is easy to tell others how to do something. All that must be done is open one’s mouth and let the words come forth. But, that is not true leadership. It is merely the parroting of things previously read or heard. While people may hear the words, they are seldom inspired by them.
Great Leaders, on the other hand, live by the words that they speak. They know that those who choose to follow do so because they KNOW that the words are not mere concepts to the leader. Rather, they are principles by which the Great Leader lives.
Perhaps one of the finest examples of a Great Leader exemplifying the choices and actions that he wanted his followers to emulate was George Washington, Commanding General of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. While many captains, majors, and colonels went home and left their troops to face the brutal winter and starvation, General George Washington remained in camp, on the job every day, living under the same conditions as his troops. He did not keep the army together by saying, “you need to stay here”. Instead, he said, “WE need to stay here” and then did as he asked of them.
Great Leaders do not preach a sermon and expect others to obey. Great Leaders set an example for others to follow.
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com