Be Not Above the Fray

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."

Albert Schweitzer

Your example as a chief executive officer is more meaningful than a handful of speeches on what the company should be doing.

To be sure, there is a time for rallying the troops through inspiring words and writings. But there is nothing more inspiring than your deeds. How many CEOs give you the feeling that they’re just too good to get dirt under their manicured nails? How many executives look down with disdain at the trivial, mundane or grunt work that exists in every company?

Those attitudes reflect a patent lack of humanity, but more importantly they demonstrate a clear lack of understanding of human nature. Your employees will follow you into battle, and some will even willingly fall on their swords for you. But only if they believe that you’re in the fray with them-side-by-side.

It’s been said that good leaders don’t force people to follow—they invite them on a journey. As a corporate leader, your success depends on your ability to invite people to come along with you on the journey.

(c) Adonis E. Hoffman, 2008.