Leaders Model the Way

A few years ago, members of our company leadership studied a book called The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner.

I have read the book five times since 1986. Every time I read it, I’m reminded of the impact it has had. If you like my leadership style and thoughts on leadership, please know they have been heavily “informed” by this book.

One of the principles in the book is that everyone is a leader and can lead. It goes on to describe five things that leaders do.

The first one is that leaders model the way.

Are you a role model? A lot of people don’t want the responsibility of being a role model. Those folks won’t lead.

Kouzes and Posner say a leader is clear about who they want to be and they conduct themselves in a manner consistent with those values.

Choosing to be a role model means you are choosing to have an impact that is exemplary. You have an impact whether you choose it or not. Why not choose to be distinctive in the way you accomplish matters?

Be a role model!