Thank goodness politicians are not the only examples we have for leadership. Rarely do their words match their actions. They may be great speakers, but who cares! Our words mean nothing unless our actions follow those words.
The actions of an introverted Leader of Character will lead a team to excellence before the eloquent words of hypocritical extrovert. Our actions create followers more than our words do.
More is caught than taught!
The Leader of Character understands the old saying “More is caught than taught.” There are no days off from leading. We influence people around us even when we are not trying to do it.
As young parents you learn quickly that the children are always watching you. And despite whatever you may tell them to do, they are much more likely to imitate your actions than they are to follow your words. The exact same is true for leaders at work.
The words of a leader mean very little to my people if I do not model the behaviors I claim to be important. If I tell my team that Integrity is a core value for the team and then tell my assistant to tell someone I am in a meeting when I am not, that action will have more influence than any of my well thought out words.
Andersons’ 12 Word (or less) Definition of Duty
To take action based on both our assigned tasks and moral obligations.
To read more on the topic of Duty, click on the following blog title:
Duty - Beyond a Job Description
It is my Duty to set the example for those I lead.
I must set the example in Courage, Humility, Integrity, Selflessness, Duty and Positivity for everyone I am responsible for leading. My Duty is that EVERY choice I make as a leader is a choice between influencing people in a positive or a negative way.
There is no middle ground. If I want to be a Leader of Character, I truly believe it is my Duty wield positive influence on everyone I meet.
Leaders of Character believe:
- If I say I am going to do something, I will do it.
- If I say I will be somewhere at 10am, I will be there.
- If I say I will complete a project by a particular date, I will complete it.
- If I see something that needs to be done, I will do it.
- If I can help someone get better, I will push them to grow.
- If I tell my kids I will be at their school play, I will be there.
- If I accept a paycheck from my employer, I will do my job to the best of my abilities
- If I do not do the things listed above, I will own my failure, fix it, and do better next time.
Imagine what it would be like to be led by a person who’s habits matched the words above. Who wouldn’t want to be around a person with that sense of Duty?
Practice Duty and Setting the Example
So how do I get there? How do I become that Leader of Character that has developed the habit of Duty to such a mature level? I start with the small choices. These are smaller day to day decisions that help me form a Habit of Character that is prepared for larger tests.
I pick up a random piece of trash on the street without thinking. I volunteer to complete a report for my boss when she is behind. I clean windows at home or do the dishes without thinking about it.
I don’t make excuses for my shortcomings. I don’t try to manipulate reality so I do not have to own my mistakes. I accept the fact that I screwed up and that I need to get to the work of finding solutions.
I coach everyone with an equal determination to make them better. I have difficult conversations when they are needed. I model the Habits of Character and understand people are paying more attention to my actions than my words.
The Bottom Line:
Doing my Duty and setting the example is a habit that is formed in the small tests just like the Habits of Character like Courage, Humility, Integrity, Selflessness and Positivity. They are all connected with each other and are all dependent on practice.
A Leader of Character is not selective in when she does her Duty. She does it because she has developed it into a Habit of Character through intentional and consistent exercising Duty muscles. She breaks a sweat in practice so she is ready for game day.
“Duty is the sublimest word in the language; you can never do more than your duty; you shall never wish to do less.”
-Robert E. Lee
P.S. The post is adapted from the book on Leaders of Character I am writing with my father, General James L. Anderson. In it we break down each of the Habits of Character I mentioned above. I will keep you posted as the book gets closer to publication. We have a publisher and the editors are hard at work as you read this.
Question:
What other moral obligations do leaders have besides setting the example?
