Have you ever taken a keen look at a mother hen who moves about with her newly hatched chicks? With the incessant chirping,the mother hen tirelessly scratches on, cackling to the chicks to come pick at any food particles.Soon enough,these chicks begin scratching at the soil similarly like their mother,as they get older.Ofcourse,in due time,the mother hen separates herself completely from her chicks,and then they begin to fend for themselves,armed with the technique learnt from their mother.
You can now agree with me,that the mother hen led by example.Undauntedly,this principle applies to every viable social organization in our society.If a leader holds a mindset of leading a group of people in a way that they can become self-established and stand independently,then he or she must lead by example.This way,they tend to stand in confidently when he or she is gone,and ensure a continued productivity in that group.
Young persons also learn a great deal by imitating,hence the necessity of leadership by example.You play the role you want to inculcate in them.They keep on seeing this,and they take it in.Ofcourse,when I talk of leadership by example,I mean a good and acceptable example.This entails being a good role model.
We do have negative leaders,who knowingly or unknowingly portray a bad image to their followers.You can't emphasize punctuality to work among your crew yet, while you yourself do not make efforts to get there on time always.What then do you expect from a father who pats his son and tells him not to smoke,while there is a lighted cigarette in his other hand already? That son wouldn't take the father seriously, because he himself has not shown an example.
Whatever the capacity of leadership you find yourself,there are rules and regulations.You first keep them,and in keeping them,you are justified to enforce them.Leadership by example makes room for correction to be made to erring followers, without much ado.
Lead by example, and be the character you want your crew to be.Set your footprints in the sand,and let them follow rightly.