Is Leadership by Example The Holy Grail For Success?

The epitome of Success is the result of a series of Decisions that coincide with your goals and aspirations. The first ideal thing to do would be to assess your current pre-disposition, are you contented, happy or is change a necessity?

I believe “change can only be attained from within” The idea of Change and acting on it is too cumbersome for most people hence you cannot make people change. The best you can hope for is to encourage them to want to change themselves! And the best way to attest this is through example. E.M. Kelly once quoted “The difference between a boss and a leader is that a boss declare, “Go!” While a Leader would say with enthusiasm and unbridled gallantry, “Let’s go”

A charismatic Leader who grasps the concept of true power knows that you build a team from the inside out, ideally starting with him.

            Were you able to witness highly successful people who could speak with great eloquence and charm, urge you on doing something? But sadly most are like signposts, only pointing you unto the direction but never seem to act on the journey.

            In order to do that, you need to understand what I call the “You” factor. Let me illustrate what I am implying with words.

            As a Leader you need to make people realize the concept that they are the “stewards of their own ship” The have the responsibility to manifest their destiny! Teach them, “You are the key factor that will make a definite difference. It is not by your company! It’s not your product! It’s not your pay plan that will determine your success! It is simply you! You are the catalyst to enact change!

            Abraham Lincoln once amiably said, “No man is good enough to govern another man without that man’s consent.” People have the pre conceived notion to follow, by Choice. It is how you gain their respect and empathically implore their devotion to your cause that determines this.

            A powerful and charismatic Leader speaks with a calm and clear voice echoing with confidence. He persuades people to go forward. A powerful leader leads amidst the encumbrance of adversities. These qualities entails people the desire to follow you!

            I heard a story one day about a party of tourists in the deserts of Palestine. Their guide was describing local cultural customs. “In the East, the shepherd always leads the way, going on ahead of the flock he exclaimed. The sheep follows him due to the notion of trust; trust not only in his abilities but on his entire being.

            When the tourists reached Palestine they were amused to see a flock sheep being driven along by a man walking behind them. One the tourists curiously approached him and asked, “Why are you walking behind the sheep? We were told Eastern shepherd leads his sheep.”

             The man answered, “You are right. A shepherd leads his sheep. But I’m not a shepherd I’m a butcher.” 

            This illustrates that when a Leader begins to coerce and manipulate his followers; he’s essentially deviating from Leadership but instead woefully succumbing to dictatorship. I’m sure you can perceive what happens next. He stops making requests but instead start issuing orders.

             Powerful Leaders are not only the mechanism of change, but the catalyst of change. A real Leader faces head the music head on regardless of the fact that he despises the tune. He makes necessary changes that will benefit the entire team. A Leader’s enthusiasm to embrace change and grow makes everyone around them want to get better. 

            A man doesn’t drown by falling in the water, but instead drown due to the inability to push forth and beckon their will to survive. A powerful Leader exudes the aura of positive change; he inspires people to initiate change in their lives!

 The secret for inspiring people to change is that they must see something different in your life. Enact change from within and be an example. Lead by example!