Page 65 - Develop your leadership skills- John Adair. -- 2nd ed

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56 ■ Develop your leadership skills

You can see now the importance of this function of providing
an example, but can it be done with skill? At first sight, no, for
skill implies a conscious learning of an art. To set an example
consciously in order to influence others seems to be rather
manipulative. That is why I talk about providing an example,
rather than setting one. For you can provide an example in an
unselfconscious way, as an expression of who you are as
opposed to something done for a carefully calculated effect. If
example becomes a habit, you will not think about it – still less
congratulate yourself on being such a good leader!

It follows that if you are going to lead effectively by example as
much as by other means you will need at least modesty if not
humility – that rarest of all qualities in leadership, found only
in the best. The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu summed it up in
the sixth century before the Christian era:

A leader is best
When people barely know that he exists;
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him;
Worst when they despise him.
Fail to honour people,
They fail to honour you.
But of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will all say, ‘We did this ourselves.’

Yes, and perhaps one day they will add about you as their
leader, ‘And you made a difference.’ That is the true reward of
leadership.