The Importance of Leading by Example
The greatest business, political and biblical leaders tend to share one common trait: they set a good example for those watching. Leading not only through our guidance but by our actions and the way we conduct ourselves is one of the most important things we can do to gain success for ourselves, our employees and our company as a whole. We can't ask our employees to do something that we are not willing to do ourselves.
Setting the Standard
In response to COVID-19, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly asked his employees to take a pay cut to avoid furloughs in 2021. However, before making this request of his staff, Kelly himself announced that he would be accepting 0% of his salary in 2021. As head of the company, he demonstrated his commitment to being the standard for his employees, making them more willing to follow suit.
This was an extreme example, but setting the standard in simpler ways can still have a meaningful effect. For instance, being on time, paying attention to details and being a good listener are all valuable qualities we should not merely expect of our constituents but also emulate.
As Christian leaders, we are also given the special charge of setting an example for our fellow Christians as well. In 1 Timothy 3, we are given the qualifications of an overseer or elder in a church group, including being respectable, sober-minded and honest. Those qualifications are also applicable to any leader, and we are expected to set a precedent for those around us.
The first verse of 1 Timothy 3 says, "If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task." As overseers for Christ both in the church and the workplace, we need to understand that with power comes great responsibility in all things that we do.
When You Don't Lead by Example
On the contrary, we have also seen companies who crashed and burned at their leaders' hands. When we don't lead with a good example, our companies and employees suffer with us.
Many are familiar with the Enron scandal of 2001. Leadership purposely tricked regulators with fake holdings and off-the-books accounting, dragging some of their employees into their scheme. After being found out, the company crumbled and left hundreds of people without jobs and tremendous losses for those who had trusted the leadership and invested in the company, including those who were completely unaware of the internal foul play.
Enron's leaders showed their employees that it was okay to lie and cheat to get money, and some employees bought into that idea. In the end, Enron leaders proved that doing things the wrong way ultimately gets you nowhere, and their employees and company suffered from their foolishness.
We see this principle play out in the Bible as well with King David, who was "a man after God's own heart." He started as a great leader, but after falling into lust and greed, King David committed adultery and murder, leading to many consequences for him and his kingdom and family. He disobeyed the laws set in place for everyone in the kingdom, and because of that, they all suffered through the pain brought on by his sin, including the death of his son and losses in battles.
Not all missteps cause such heavy repercussions, but when we say one thing and do another, it shows that the rules in place have no worth. We learn through these situations that when we break the rules, the consequences are not ours alone to face, but those we lead are affected as well.
As we lead our companies to the best of our abilities, let's remember that our subordinates are watching what we do, and they're following close behind. What we model to our employees is the standard we can expect them to meet.
Hebrews 13:7: "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
As Christian leaders, we should strive to be someone that others can look to and model themselves after. While we continue to lead in our companies and our churches, let's aim to set the standards high.