Some years ago I began picking a word that I would reflect on throughout the year to grow in my development as a leader. As this new year approached I began to consider my word of the year desiring to choose a word that would directly affect my personal growth and increase my influence with others. In my leadership journey, I have learned that everything starts and stops with leadership. I have learned that I must look at myself if things are not going well in my areas of influence. Whether in my home, job, or the community, what I do as a leader matters to those I influence.
Knowing this and after deep consideration the word I chose for this year is model. Leaders must model the way for those we lead. Modeling the way prompts us to be and become what we expect from others and will more than likely contribute to us getting the results we want from others. Modeling the way can greatly increase our influence and inspire others to do the work because they see that we believe in our message and value those we lead through our modeling and not barking out commands.
In one of John Maxwell's Leadership Podcasts, he used the analogy of a tour guide and a travel agent. When leaders are being and becoming what we expect from others, we act as tour guides because we speak from experience. Nothing communicates authenticity, accountability, and credibility more than this. When we are not being and becoming, we are just travel agents. It’s hard to lead as a travel agent. So, if you are not getting the result(s) you want from others, maybe it’s time to evaluate if you are being a tour guide or a travel agent in your leadership approach.
The best leaders I know and hear about lead by example—they model the way. I am encouraged and inspired to be the best version of myself when I see my boss, colleagues, pastor, and other leaders I know modeling the way. Their leadership inspires me to follow suit and to also lead that way. As I lead by being an example of what I expect from others, it is my responsibility to be even more intentional and focused in my leadership growth and development to increase the level of influence I have in the lives of others because by doing this I will be and I will become.
This concept of being and becoming what I expect from others became even more real to me after an early morning breakfast with one of my mentors, a principal in the school district where I work. As a result of our conversation about a problem that concerned me, he helped me realize that I needed to behave differently to change the situation. As I changed my actions and started to experience better results in the actions and behaviors that were concerning me, it was then that I realized the power of being and becoming what I expected from others. Modeling the way is powerful and if you are truly a leader, those following you will go along with you for the ride.
Application:
- Pick a word of the year that will prompt you to be and become what you expect from others.
- If you want to experience change in your situation, organization, family, or community, take a step back and look in the mirror to see what changes you need to make in your behavior and practices.
- Know the direction you are leading towards and serve as a tour guide to those under your influence.
