Example and Leadership

I was reading 1 Timothy 4 this morning and reminded of the imperative of leading by example. Paul is writing to Timothy, his disciple and now young pastor in the city of Ephesus, about personal conduct and leadership in his life and ministry. In chapter 4:12, Paul writes, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers..."

Paul's advice to Timothy is that a life of example will silence any critics who believe that he is too young for the responsibility of leadership. Leadership credibility is earned through example, not received with a title.

Why is example so important in leadership?

1. Example is more readily followed than instructions
The most helpful instruction manuals contain more than just points and principles, they contain pictures. In my experience it is the pictures that I look to first and that are most helpful to me (maybe it's a guy thing). The same is true in leadership. People follow the example of other people more readily than they follow a set of principles or teachings.

Robert Grosseteste, bishop of Lincoln, England, from 1235-1253 once wrote, “The life of the pastor is the book of the laity.” Leaders are readers and leaders are read.

34th President of the USA, Dwight D. Eisenhower said it this way: "Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all."

2. Example joins people to the leader
Paul writes in Philippians 3:17, 'Brethren, join in following my example...' It's interesting that Paul doesn't simply say 'follow my example', but instead includes the word 'join'.

The leaders who (by his words or lifestyle) says 'Do as I say, not as I do' creates a great divide between himself and his followers, creating a 'them and us' scenario. The leader who says 'join in following my example' creates an 'us' environment.

Command based leadership alienates people from their leader. Example based leadership inspires people toward their leader. It is interesting that when Jesus wanted some fishermen to be joined to Himself, He did not say 'Obey my teaching', but instead declared 'Follow me'. The disciples joined themselves to the person of Jesus before they did the principles of Jesus.

Command based leaders sit above their followers and give directions. Example based leaders walk amongst their followers and give inspiration. People obediently follow those who direct them; people willingly follow those who inspire them.

3. Example creates a pattern to follow
In Titus 2:7 Paul writes, '...in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works...' Forgive me for returning to Primary School arts and craft time, but the most simple feature of a pattern is its element of predictability. Patterns allow people to predict a future action by reason of past habits.

The beauty of example in leadership is that it affords followers the confidence to guess how their leader would act in a given situation. Therefore, when their leader is not around the follower can confidently answer the question 'what would my leader do in this situation?' and act accordingly. This comfort is reserved for the followers of predictable, exemplary leaders.

This does not remove from leaders the responsibility to be creative, rather it reinforces the leaders responsibility to be consistent. Creativity and consistency in leadership are not at odds with each other, but instead are indispensable to each other.

4. Example recognizes an entrustment
1 Peter 5:23 says, "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, nor for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being masters over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..."

Leaders who view their followers simply as 'employees' or 'resources', care little about the example that their leadership provides. Why? Because this type of leader is not concerned with building people, but is only concerned with building their own empire.

On the other hand, when the Christian leader knows that their followers are an entrustment from God they live in such a way that provides a positive example, which followers can emulate to bring good success to their own lives.

In committing to build people, leaders of example attract people to themselves who willingly fulfill the common vision. Why? Because the leader's vision has become the followers vision. Why? Because the follower recognises more than just vision in their leader's heart; they see themselves in their leader's heart.

Renowned officer of the US Navy, Admiral James B. Stockdale once said:
“Leadership must be based on goodwill…It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers…What we need for leaders are men of heart who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that are never out of a job, never out of followers. Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away.”

I agree emphatically! From my experience, the leaders who I follow most devotedly are those who I know are committed to my wellbeing. Although this can appear to be a relationship based on selfishness, it's actually a relationship built on trust.

My commitment to an exemplary life is proof positive of that fact that I view people as an entrustment from God; I care too much for them to give them a bad model to emulate.