When asked to describe the qualities and practices of leadership ‘leading by example’ is a phrase that will be often repeated. But does that cut it?
We are in a time of election, not just here in the UK but across the world. European elections are taking place. India has recently completed its polls and the US will be selecting its next round of leaders in November.
The question we might ask of all those who have put themselves up for election is what example they set or will be setting in their leadership. If it is based on the recently televised debates (or playground style squabbles) can we hope for much?
We aren’t looking for leading by example – which can be decidedly poor – we are looking for leading by good example. That’s the standards all of us should be setting for ourselves as leaders and demanding from others who lead.
The thing is this shift can’t wait for someone else to show the way. It is down to each of us as Gandhi would have put it ‘to be the change we want to see in the world’.
That means deep reflection on our behaviours and practices, on the thoughts we have and how we express them…are they positive and helping uplift the field or more destructive? On the way we show up. On the focus we put on building trust, relationship and connection. On the decisions we take and the intention behind them – self or other focused – and the accountability we take for the outcomes.
If we hold in our heart the intention to build a better world for all and test all that we think, say and do against that intention we’ll be elevating our example and encouraging others to do the same.