Being a Good Role Model
In John Maxwell’s book, Developing The Leader In You, he says, “Remember, we teach what we know, we reproduce what we are.” I found this a very interesting twist on the “Do as I say, not as I do.”
As leaders, how often do we hold ourselves to a different standard than our employees? Do you think they hold us to the same standard? As a consultant I often hear the complaint, “Why can’t they…” No matter what the subject or the audience, people always wonder why others don’t perform in a certain way.
I wonder if the answer isn’t as simple as the above quote. If we acted in a way that shows how we want others to perform and we reinforced it, how much more likely are we to get what we want?
I was at a Wal-mart Neighborhood grocery store yesterday and the elderly lady checking my groceries was dressed so strikingly different that I had to comment on how she raised the level of class in the store that evening. She had on a nice sweater, pearls, a pearl bracelet and pearl earrings. Her makeup was impeccable and she politely commented as she scanned the items. Another young lady at the register next to us was dressed in a baggy t-shirt and baggy pants. I wonder whether each of them thought the other was dressed inappropriately. It would be interesting to note if over time any change is made in either of their style of dress to be more like the other. I also wonder what the store management has to say about it. I didn’t see how the store manager was dressed.
